A'ja Wilson Wins 2024 Olympics MVP; Breanna Stewart, Gabby Williams in All-Star 5
Aug 11, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Gold medalist A'Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States poses for a photo during the Women's basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
A'ja Wilson might need to build a second — or third — trophy cabinet at this point.
The Team USA star was honored as the MVP of the 2024 Summer Olympics after helping lift her team to a gold medal in Sunday's final against France. She was also one of two American named to the All-Star squad for the tournament.
Wilson, who was MVP of the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup as well, averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks across six contests in Paris. She put up a double-double (21 points and 13 rebounds) in the 67-66 win over France to clinch an eighth straight gold.
On the heels of leading the Las Vegas Aces to their second successive WNBA title, the 28-year-old staked a strong claim to be the best women's basketball player in the world. Her performance in France cemented that status further.
Stewart was the only other U.S. player to average double figures in scoring (16.3 points) while contributing 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.
Williams was one of the best two-way players at the Summer Games. She filled out the stat sheet (15.5 PTS, 4.7 TRB, 4.8 AST, 2.8 STL) and reminded WNBA fans of what they're missing thanks in part to the league's prioritization rules.
The French forward may have mixed emotions when it comes to the 2024 Olympics, though. While she helped the host country match its best-ever showing, she was mere inches away from sending the final into overtime.
Belgium's Emma Meesseman and Australia's Alanna Smith rounded out the All-Olympics first team. Australia's Ezi Magbegor, Nigeria's Ezinne Kalu, Belgium's Julie Vanloo, Germany's Satou Sabally and France's Valériane Ayayi were named to the second team.
Hailey Van Lith, USA 3x3 Basketball Improve to 3-3: Updated 2024 Olympic Standings
Aug 2, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Hailey van Lith #9 of Team United States dribbles the ball against Myriam Djekoundade #11 of Team France during the Women's 3x3 Basketball Pool Round match between Team Australia and Team Spain on day seven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Hailey Van Lith and the USA women's 3x3 basketball team defeated Canada 18-17 on Friday to mark their third straight win.
The USA women have now recovered from their three-game losing streak to open the Olympics and are now even 3-3 overall.
Team USA has one more game remaining in pool play, with a Saturday contest against China on deck.
A late basket from Van Lith sent Friday's contest between the United States and Canada to overtime, where the first team to two points would claim the win.
Canada scored first, but Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard won the game with a shot from deep.
Howard led the team with seven points, going 4-for-5 from the one-point range before making her game-winning two-pointer.
Van Lith contributed five points, going 2-of-3 from deep while adding a one-point basket on six attempts.
Earlier in the day Van Lith and Howard each contributed four points during Team USA's 14-13 win over France.
After struggling with their chemistry during tournament-opening losses to Germany, Azerbaijan and Australia, the American women have been able to put together a more comprehensive offense during three straight wins over Spain, France and Canada.
Finishing in the top six of the pool-play stage standings will give Team USA a chance to advance to the semifinals, although the team may need to make it through a play-in round to get there.
The top two teams after pool play head straight to the semifinals, while the next four teams will compete for two remaining spots in the next round.
If Team USA finishes group play among the top six teams, its play-in game will take place Saturday afternoon.
Caitlin Clark Reacts to USA Olympic Roster Snub: 'Gives You Something to Work For'
Jun 9, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 07: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever celebrates during the game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
After being left off the Team USA women's basketball roster for the Paris Olympics this summer, Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark is taking things in stride and using it as fuel to try to qualify for the next Olympic team.
"Honestly, no disappointment. I think it just gives you something to work for," Clark told reporters Sunday. "It's a dream, hopefully one day I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation. You remember that and hopefully in four years, when four years comes back around, I can be there."
When it comes to not making the Olympic team, Caitlin Clark has nothing but praise for the 12 who made it: “it’s the toughest team to make.”
It sounds like Clark has already begun using the Olympic roster snub as motivation.
"I just tried to keep her spirits up, and the thing she said to me was, 'Hey coach, they woke a monster,' which I thought was awesome," Fever head coach Christie Sides said of her interaction with Clark after she found out she wasn't being selected.
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team:
Clark told Sides “hey coach, they woke a monster” when telling her she didn’t make it. pic.twitter.com/02UwvuEiVj
Clark said that she's "excited" for the players who were selected to the Team USA roster and she will be rooting for them to take home an eighth straight gold medal. While she would've loved to be a part of the team, she knows the upcoming break for the Olympics from mid-July to mid-August will be beneficial for her.
"Absolutely, it's gonna be really nice. I love competing every single second, but it's gonna be a great month for my body to get rest, get healthy and get a little time away from basketball and the craziness of everything that's been going on and find some peace and quiet for myself," Clark said, adding that she plans to get in the weight room and also address some of the things she needs to improve on the court during the break.
Clark is coming off a 30-point performance in Friday's win over the Washington Mystics, so she will look to keep the momentum going when the Fever take on the Connecticut Sun in a road matchup on Monday.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade to Executive Produce Documentary on 2008 Olympics Team
Aug 19, 2022
BEIJING - AUGUST 7: LeBron James #6 and Dwyane Wade #9 of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team talk during practice prior to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics on August 7, 2008 at Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBA legends and former Miami Heat teammates LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are joining forces to executive produce a Netflix series about the 2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team.
The documentary, which is entitled The Redeem Team, will feature "unprecedented Olympic footage and behind-the-scenes material," thanks to Netflix working with the International Olympic Committee for the first time ever, according to Angelique Jackson of Variety.
Jon Weinbach, who directed the critically acclaimed The Last Dance docuseries on Michael Jordan, will serve as the director of The Redeem Team as well.
Wade, who was an integral part of the 2008 Olympic team along with James, said the following regarding the documentary:
"In 2008, I played with heroes of mine, All-Stars, friends and future teammates. Outside of winning and showing the world that we were still the most dominant, our other big challenge was changing the perception of what everyone thought about the NBA and USA Basketball! I'm excited for everyone to get an opportunity to go behind the scenes and see all the work that went into this iconic team—The Redeem Team!"
Led by legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sidelines and late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant on the court, the 2008 Olympic team succeeded in putting Team USA back on top of the basketball world.
Four years earlier at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, the United States settled for a disappointing bronze medal, which served as a catalyst for a campaign to put together the best possible team and coaching staff for Beijing in 2008.
That proved to be a success, as the roster was highlighted by current and future Hall of Famers such as James, Wade, Bryant, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh.
The United States went undefeated in the tournament and beat Spain 118-107 in the final to win gold.
The 2008 Olympics may have also set the stage for the formation of the Heat's "Big 3" in 2010, as LeBron and Bosh joined Wade in Miami, and went on to lead the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances and two championships.
Viewers across the world can begin watching The Redeem Team on Netflix when it officially drops on Oct. 7.
USA's Erin Jackson Wins 500m Gold; 1st Black Woman to Medal in Olympic Speedskating
Feb 13, 2022
USA's Erin Jackson celebrates her gold medal in the women's 500m speed skating event during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on February 13, 2022. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)
Team USA's Erin Jackson became the
first Black woman in the history of the Winter Olympics to win a
medal in speedskating with her victory Sunday in the women's 500
meters.
The 29-year-old Florida native didn't
initially qualify for the Beijing Games after a stumble during the
U.S. Olympic Trials, but teammate Brittany Bowe stepped aside to give
Jackson the spot.
"Erin has earned her right to be on
this 500-meter team," Bowe told reporters in January. "No one is
more deserving than her to get an opportunity to bring Team USA home
a medal. After that unfortunate slip, I knew in my mind before that
night was even over that if it had to come down to a decision of
mine, she could have my place."
Bowe, who still qualified for the
Olympics in the 1,000- and 1,500-meter races, ended up taking part in
the 500 anyway because other countries didn't use their full entry allocations. She finished 16th.
Jackson, a former inline skater who
transitioned to speedskating in 2016, finished 24th at the 2018 Games
in her first Olympic appearance.
She made rapid progress to emerge as
one of the best skaters in the world. She arrived to
Beijing as the leader in the ISU World Cup standings in the 500
meters.
"I wish I could describe how I
feel. It is amazing," Jackson said after Sunday's win. "This
medal means so much. It has been a tough couple of years and a tough
beginning for this year. For this to come around like this, I am so
happy."
Her victory also allows her to join
fellow American Shani Davis as the only Black skaters to win
long-track events at the Olympics, according to the Associated Press. Davis won the men's 1,000 meters
at the 2006 and 2010 Games.
Jackson and Takagi were joined on the
podium by the Russian Olympic Committee's Angelina Golikova, who
earned the bronze.
USA Dominates China in Men's Hockey Opener at 2022 Winter Olympics
Feb 10, 2022
USA's Brendan Brisson (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against China during the men's preliminary round group A match of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games ice hockey competition, at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing on February 10, 2022. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States men's ice hockey team opened its 2022 Winter Olympics account in Beijing on Thursday with an 8-0 win over China.
Michigan star Brendan Brisson gave Team USA a 1-0 lead in the first period before Matty Beniers, Sean Farrell, Brian O'Neill, Ben Meyers and Noah Cates added to the goal tally. Farrell was the standout performer, scoring three goals and assisting on two more.
The U.S. nearly doubled China's shot total, finishing with 55 attempts on goal to 29 for the host country.
Halfway through the opening frame, the United States was unable to make a breakthrough. Thanks to an interference penalty to Fu Jiang, the U.S. capitalized on the power play. Brisson fired a wrist shot past Jieruimi Shimisi, also known as Jeremy Smith, the former Boston Bruins prospect and Colorado Avalanche netminder who gained the opportunity to represent China at the national team level.
Great play by Matt Knies to get the puck back to Brendan Brisson, who fired a perfect shot high glove side on Jeremy Smith for the power-play goal. Brisson is 13th U.S. forward. This is why he's in uniform.
Cates, O'Neill and Farrell broke things open in the second period as the United States had something to show for the dominance it was enjoying on the ice. It was an impressive 20 minutes from Farrell.
The Harvard star delivered a no-look pass to Cates as Team USA found a second goal.
Then it was Farrell's time to find the back of the net with 1:53 remaining in the period. The Chinese were struggling to defend in odd-man rushes, and the 20-year-old wing used his ample space to line up a shot that eluded Shimisi.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, Beniers headed to China with plenty in the way of expectations. The Michigan star flashed his pinpoint accuracy when he deposited the puck into the top left corner with eight minutes left in the game.
The Seattle Kraken might be anchored to last place in the Pacific Division, but Beniers represents what should be a bright future in the Pacific Northwest.
The absence of NHL stars has opened up the field a bit for the men's ice hockey tournament, and the United States in particular is a major wild card with a roster that's almost entirely untested at the Olympic level.
When the first period concluded, it looked like the U.S. might have a difficult fight on its hands from China. As the game progressed, Team USA's talent advantage became apparent, and the squad began looking more cohesive.
The U.S. is back on the ice Saturday to play Canada. The United States is a +185 underdog (bet $100 to win $185) at DraftKings Sportsbook against the nine-time Olympic champion.
With Canada cruising past Germany, Saturday's winner has an opportunity to clinch Group A and secure passage to the quarterfinals.
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Olympic Hockey Results 2022: USA Women's Loss and Tuesday's Top Scores
Feb 8, 2022
United States' Caroline Harvey (4) and Canada's Brianne Jenner (19) fight for the puck during the second period of a women's exhibition hockey game ahead of the Beijing Olympics, Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in Maryland Heights, Mo. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
The much-anticipated showdown between the United States and Canada women's hockey teams at the 2022 Olympics on Tuesday went in favor of the Canadians.
Canada scored three goals in the second period to earn a 4-2 victory over the Americans. Both teams entered this matchup undefeated in Group A and having already clinched a berth in the quarterfinals.
The Canadians have been dominating the tournament so far. They won their first three games by a combined score of 29-3. The U.S. was coming off its best game of the Olympics with an 8-0 victory over Switzerland.
Tuesday's win gives Canada the top seed going into the eight-team playoff round. Team USA is the No. 2 seed, putting the two countries on a path to potentially play for a gold medal for the fourth consecutive Olympics.
Tuesday's Results
Canada 4, USA 2
Japan 3, Czech Republic 2 (shootout)
Sweden 3, Denmark 1
Finland 5, Russian Olympic Committee 0
Group A Standings
1. Canada: 4-0-0-0 (plus-28 goal differential)
2. United States: 3-0-0-1 (plus-14)
3. Finland: 1-0-0-3 (minus-9)
4. Russian Olympic Committee: 1-0-0-3 (minus-12)
5. Switzerland: 1-0-0-3 (minus-21)
Group B Standings
(wins, OT W, OT L, losses)
1. Japan: 2-1-1-0 (plus-6 goal differential)
2. Czech Republic: 2-0-1-1 (plus-2)
3. Sweden: 2-0-0-2 (minus-1)
4. China: 1-1-0-2 (0)
5. Denmark: 1-0-0-3 (minus-7)
Full standings via NBCOlympics.com. Teams in italics advanced to quarterfinals
The Americans were more aggressive on the offensive end in the defeat. They had a 53-27 advantage in total shots, but Canada made its opportunities count with four goals against Maddie Rooney.
Abbey Murphy missed a chance to put the U.S. up 1-0 in the first period when her attempt hit the post. Canada took an early advantage thanks to Brianne Jenner's power-play goal with just under six minutes to go in the opening frame.
Trailing for the first time in these Olympics seemed to wake up the Canadians. They closed the second period with three goals in the span of 5:25 to take a 4-2 lead.
Jenner tied the game just 26 seconds after Carpenter's go-ahead score. Jamie Lee Rattray put Canada on top with her third goal of the tournament.
The 2014 Patty Kazmaier Award winner and National Champion from @ClarksonWHockey. 😳
Jamie Lee Rattray puts Canada back out front. #WinterOlympics
Marie-Philip Poulin put the cherry on top with a penalty-shot goal with 2:35 remaining in the second period.
Both defenses tightened up in the third period. Ann-Renee Desbiens was fantastic in the net for Canada. She had 51 saves in the game, most ever in the Olympics by a male or female goalie.
Of those 51 stops, 21 came in the third period.
In other action on Tuesday, Japan secured the top spot in Group B with a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic in a shootout. Hanae Kubo scored the only goal on 10 shots between the two teams in the shootout.
The U.S. will take on the Czech Republic in the first quarterfinal game on Thursday at 12:10 a.m. ET.
Sweden has had a fantastic turnaround after a rough start to the Olympics. After being outscored 6-2 in their first two games, the Swedes scored back-to-back wins over China and Denmark to reach the quarterfinals.
Emma Nordin, Lisa Johansson and Ebba Berglund all scored goals for Sweden in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Denmark. They will take on Canada in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Finland salvaged group play with a 5-0 victory over the Russian Olympic Committee. The Finns had a rough draw to start the tournament with games against the U.S. and Canada.
A 3-2 loss to Switzerland left Finland winless heading into Tuesday's contest. Five different players scored for the team in the win. Anni Keisala stopped all 19 shots she faced from the Russians, and Finland will face Japan in the quarters on Saturday.
Olympic Hockey Results 2022: USA, Canada and Thursday's Top Women's Scores
Feb 3, 2022
USA's Amanda Kessel (2-R) and Finland's Julia Liikala vie for the puck during their women's preliminary round group A match of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games ice hockey competition, at the Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing on February 3, 2022. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)
It was only the first day of the
women's hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics, but longtime
rivals Canada and the United States already appeared on another gold-medal
collision course.
The Canadians were downright dominant
in a 12-1 win over Switzerland, while the Americans took care of
business against a medal contender in Finland 5-2.
Japan and the Czech Republic were the
other winners from Thursday's action in Beijing.
Thursday's Results
Czech Republic 3, China 1
Canada 12, Switzerland 1
Japan 3, Sweden 1
United States 5, Finland 2
Day 1 Recap
Perhaps what's most impressive about
Canada's rout of Switzerland is that it racked up a dozen goals
without Marie-Philip Poulin, arguably the top women's player, finding
the net and recording just a single assist. It's a testament to the
team's depth.
Four players scored at least two goals
(Sarah Fillier, Natalie Spooner, Blayre Turnbull and Laura Stacey)
and a trio of skaters picked up at least three assists (Spooner,
Claire Thompson and Rebecca Johnston) as Canada opened the scoring
after just a minute and never looked back.
The Canadians finished the game with an
eye-popping 70 shots on goal.
After a hard-fought opening 10 minutes,
the United States was able to seize control of its opener with a pair
of goals less than three minutes apart by Amanda Kessel and Alex
Carpenter.
Team USA put the game out of reach with
a strong second period when it outshot the Finns 19-2. Kendall Coyne
Schofield scored both goals in the frame to increase the lead to 4-0.
Carpenter added her second of the day for the U.S. in the third, while Susanna Tapani scored twice for Finland on the power play.
One key question coming out of the
contest is the health of Brianna Decker, who was stretchered off the
ice in the first period after getting hit from behind. She didn't
return to the contest.
Several screams from star U.S. forward Brianna Decker as she got clipped from behind less than 10 minutes into her Olympics. Alert as she's taken off ice. (Getty) pic.twitter.com/mm6xN7pveo
China, as the host nation, is taking
part in the women's hockey tournament for the first time since 2010.
It received a strong performance from goalie Chen Tiya, who made 33
saves, to remain competitive against a Czech side with a shot at the
podium.
Tereza Radova, Denisa Krizova and
Michaela Pejzlova were the goal scorers for the Czech Republic. Mi Le netted the only goal for the hosts.
Japan provided the only upset of the
day with its triumph over Sweden.
Shiori Koike opened the scoring late in the first
period for the Japanese, who have never finished better
than sixth in the Olympics. After Maja Nylen-Persson tied
the game for the Swedes, Rui Ukita put Japan ahead for good. Haruna
Yoneyama added an empty-netter to seal the win.
She wanted it. She got it. She scored.
Japan gets the icebreaker late in the first period thanks to Shiori Koike! #WinterOlympics
Play in the women's hockey tournament
continues with a pair of games Friday: the Russian Olympic
Committee vs. Switzerland and Denmark vs. China.
USA Women's Team Routs Finland in Preliminary Olympics Hockey 2022 Action
Feb 3, 2022
United States' Amanda Kessel (28) is congratulated after scoring a goal against Finland during a preliminary round women's hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The United States women's hockey team got off to a winning start at the 2022 Winter Olympics on Thursday, beating Finland 5-2 in a preliminary-round game in Beijing.
Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield and Alex Carpenter scored twice for Team USA in the victory, while Amanda Kessel found the back of the net as well.
After watching rival Canada rout Switzerland 12-1 in its first game of the tournament earlier that day, the Americans answered with a one-sided win of their own against a traditionally tough Finland team.
While the United States is the reigning gold medalist in women's Olympic hockey, Finland won bronze four years ago in Pyeongchang and has played for a medal in all but one of the six occasions that women's hockey has been contested at the Olympics.
Finland also won a silver medal at the 2019 world championships and bronze at the 2021 world championships, but it looked overmatched Thursday.
Team USA got the scoring started just past the midway point of the first period when Kessel took matters into her own hands by driving to the front of the net and beating Finnish goaltender Anni Keisala:
Kessel, the younger sister of longtime NHL forward Phil Kessel, is in search of her third career Olympic medal and her second gold.
The United States made it 2-0 before the first period was over, as Carpenter recorded a power-play goal off a beautiful cross-ice pass from Kelly Pannek:
After winning a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Carpenter was left off the 2018 Olympic team, but the Massachusetts native persevered and was selected this time around.
The speedy and crafty Coyne Schofield took over during the second period and doubled the Team USA lead to 4-0 with a pair of goals in 64-second span.
The forward roared down the wing and beat Keisala with a wicked wrister to extend the Americans' lead to 3-0:
Coyne Schofield then deflected a Savannah Harmon shot into the net to make it 4-0.
The Americans were dominant in the second period, and as pointed out by LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, the Finns generated almost no scoring opportunities:
Team USA outshot Finland 19-2 in the second period and take a 4-0 lead into intermission.
Finland finally got on the board and broke up goaltender Maddie Rooney's shutout just over three minutes into the third period on a power-play goal from Susanna Tapani.
The Americans answered just about five minutes later, though, when Carpenter scored for the second time in the game, making good on a quality pass from Abby Roque to restore a four-goal advantage:
It appeared as though the game would end with a 5-1 score, but a review took place after the final horn sounded, and it was determined that a shot by Tapani with 2:20 left went off the post and in, so the final 140 seconds had to be replayed.
Little changed, though, aside from the Americans winning 5-2 rather than 5-1.
Overall, the United States took the play to Finland, outshooting the Finns 52-12 and winning 66 percent of the faceoffs.
There was one negative for Team USA out of the contest in the form of an injury to a key player.
Forward Brianna Decker, who was playing in her third consecutive Olympics, suffered an apparent leg injury midway through the first period and had to be stretchered off the ice.
Chris Peters of Daily Faceoff explained how big of a loss Decker could potentially be:
Broadcast just replayed the injury to Brianna Decker from a different angle. Pretty terrible. That's going to be a huge loss for this team that lost several key pieces of its core to retirement before this Olympics. Decker is one of the absolute greats of recent USWNT history.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski later reported that Decker was seen on crutches and with her left leg in a walking boot after the game. USA Hockey also confirmed that Decker will miss the remainder of the Olympics.
Decker has been one of Team USA's top forwards for over a decade with 170 points in 146 career games for the national team, so replacing her production will be a huge challenge.
Still, the Americans played at a high level without Decker for most of Thursday's game, and there is no question that they are still the gold medal co-favorite along with Canada.
The United States and Canada have played for Olympic gold five out of six times, and they appear to be on a collision course again in Beijing.
Team USA will look to improve to 2-0 in Group A preliminary-round play Saturday when it faces the Russian Olympic Committee.
