The 2024 Paris Olympics will start on July 26 and finish on Aug. 11. Throughout that span, a whole bunch of medals might be awarded for a number of sports activities, together with ladies’s 5×5 basketball.
Workforce USA might be closely favored, on condition that the nation has gained 9 gold medals and seven-straight since 1996. Whereas the remainder of the world should still be behind the States, they’re catching up, and France is a group that can have nearly as good an opportunity as any at toppling the basketball superpower.
Story of the tape
FIBA ranks France No. 7 on the planet, and Les Bleues had been spectacular of their exhibition video games, profitable all 5 matchups. So, they’re coming into these Olympics in good kind. It’s additionally not only a latest sizzling streak; that they had a robust displaying on the final Olympic video games, profitable the bronze medal by defeating Serbia 91-76.
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France additionally has a homecourt benefit, with the video games going down in Lille and Paris. It’s troublesome to quantify how a lot that can consider, however one has to think about it should, on the very least, give France a slight enhance and will create a state of affairs the place each sport they play is in entrance of a closely pro-France crowd.
The one-two-punch
France has a strong inside-out sport with Iliana Rupert as the large and Marine Johannès because the guard. Johannès is thought for her 3-point vary and has the nickname “The Wizard” for a purpose. Rupert is a participant who, as soon as she will get going, is hard to decelerate. Their consolation, chemistry and management are a giant purpose why France is predicted to get out of their group and medal in Paris.
Gabby Williams, the x-factor
Basketball is a group sport, however with solely 5 gamers on the court docket, the people matter. You’ll want gamers who can play at a celebrity stage to drag off some upsets and probably defeat Workforce USA. Gabby Williams suits that description.
When Gabby Williams performs in a excessive movement offense with a ton of capturing and creativity, she is simply particular
It is easy stuff, however excessive ball display screen with a fast flip into the roll
With the house she has to function, simply one of many best possible creators in hoops pic.twitter.com/0lgwLzLv8O
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) July 22, 2024
She has the dimensions, pace and energy you need in a dynamic ahead and might nonetheless be a menace with the ball in her palms. Her high quality has been on full show worldwide with stints with the Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm within the WNBA and ASVEL Féminin in France and the EuroLeague.
Williams additionally was a giant a part of the French group on the final Olympics, and whereas she might have misplaced a step since 2021, she’s nonetheless an influence participant who can get a double-double in any given sport. She was sensational in France’s 117-59 win versus Finland earlier this month, when she scored 14 factors, grabbed 4 boards, and dished out two assists.
Closing ideas
The Olympics matter, and this French group and its gamers take them severely. After the final Olympics, when Williams determined to not play within the WNBA with a view to put together to symbolize France, she stated, “I made the best selection,” after they took residence the bronze.
Now, France is at residence and aiming for gold. They are going to be a pressure to reckon with and whoever faces them in an elimination scenario could have their palms full, Workforce USA included.
