Olympic Power Rankings: Can one of these 11 teams take down Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
cory woodroof
·1-min read
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: (L-R) A'Ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum of the United States celebrate victory with team mates after the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Final match between USA and China at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775826906 ORIG FILE ID: 1429301616
The 2024 Paris Olympics are upon us, as various countries from across the globe will contend for the gold in a wide variety of sporting events.
Basketball is one of those, as some of the best men and women in the sport will play at the Games in France to contend on the hardwood for Olympic medals.
On the women's side, it's looking like it'll be an intense contest for the gold medal, as Team USA will try to defend its ultimate victory at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games against a strong field.
Let's rank all 12 of the women's basketball teams in this year's Olympics to see who can really give the United States a strong push for the top.
12. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's Arella Guirantes controls the ball during the 2024 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament basketball game between China and Puerto Rico in Xi'an, in China's northern Shaanxi province on February 11, 2024. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
11. Nigeria
Aug 2, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Nigeria guard Atonye Nyingifa (21) goes for a rebound against Japan power forward Moeko Nagaoka (0) in women's basketball group B during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
10. Australia
Oct 1, 2022; Sydney, New South Wales AUS; Australia Lauren Jackson (25) shoots in third quarter against Canada at Sydney SuperDome. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
9. France
Sep 26, 2022; Sydney, NSW, AUS; Gabby Williams (FRA)? makes a three point shot in second quarter against Japan at Sydney SuperDome. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
8. Canada
Sep 29, 2022; Sydney, AUS; Canada player Phillipina Kyei (22) takes a shot in second half against Puerto Rico at Sydney SuperDome. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
7. Serbia
Aug 6, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Team Serbia power forward Jelena Brooks (9) shoots the ball against Team United States forward A'Ja Wilson (9) in the women's basketball semifinal during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
6. China
China's Huang Sijing dribbles past Puerto Rico's Ali Gibson during their 2024 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament basketball game in Xi'an, in China's northern Shaanxi province on February 11, 2024. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
5. Belgium
Jul 29, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Emma Meesseman (33) shoots against New York Liberty forward Natasha Howard (6) during the first half of the WNBA game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
4. Spain
Jul 29, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Spain player Cristina Ouvina (5) drives while being guarded by Serbia player Yvonne Anderson (12) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
3. Japan
Aug 8, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Japan point guard Rui Machida (13) shoots the ball against United States forward Breanna Stewart (10) in the women's basketball gold medal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
2. Germany
Sep 24, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally (0) dribbles downcourt during the first half of game one of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
1. USA
Aug 6, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Team United States forward A'Ja Wilson (9) handles the ball against Team Serbia power forward Jelena Brooks (9) in the women's basketball semifinal during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports