Diana Taurasi: “It really doesn’t matter what the history is”

The narrative of ‘ageism’, as Taurasi called it, won’t be the only one that the U.S. will hope to challenge when they hit the court in Paris.

Given their history of Olympic success and the magnitude of individual achievements they boast in players like two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and three-time FIBA World Cup winner Breanna Stewart, the U.S. is considered the all-out favourite for gold in France.

But that’s not how Taurasi is seeing it.

“It really doesn’t matter what the history is. It doesn’t affect this team or this Olympics. We have to find a way to find our own identity as a team on and off the court,” the veteran said.

“Those last eight don’t promise you anything going forward. That’s the mindset we’ve always taken. We respect the world. You know how difficult it is in these games. We were in the back talking about our first game in the last Olympics and how difficult that was. We never take that for granted.”

One team in particular that Taurasi singled out are the hosts France, who will be anchored by WNBA stars Gabby Williams and Marine Johannes.

“I think one team no one’s really talked about is France in France,” Taurasi said. “Playing overseas for a long time, playing here was always one of the toughest Euroleague teams to play. It’s just a country that loves basketball. They cultivate this culture of amazing talent.

“But there’s so many good teams,” she continued. “Everyone’s level has risen in the last two, three Olympics. You can see the investment in women’s sports, and it pays off on the court.”

The U.S. women will open their Olympic campaign on Tuesday 30 July against Japan.