PARIS (France) – The Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 provides a platform for the biggest stars on the planet to show their skills.
Having already looked at 10 amazing ballers in our first volume, it’s time to check out another elite 10 ready to show their class.
A’Ja Wilson – USA
The forward is now gradually entering into the realms of women’s GOAT discussions as she continues to rack up individual accolades. Immense at Tokyo 2020 when the standout player for USA, she was subsequently crowned FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 MVP.
Strong and oozing class, Wilson is almost impossible to stop when she gets rolling. A major contender for MVP at Paris 2024, you would not back against that as being the eventual outcome. It would also thrust her onto the GOAT radar even more vigorously.
Leonie Fiebich – Germany
There are few ballers who have had such a big impact on their respective national team during the past year or two than Fiebich. You can also ask fans of Casademont Zaragoza their opinions, since they revered her for some phenomenal displays in their historical EuroLeague Women debut season.
Showing she can play at a high level consistently, she can be the difference-maker – if she can find a high gear. They have such a huge and talented frontcourt, they now have a playmaker in the naturalized Alexis Peterson, with Fiebich the conduit between those two elements.
Mai Yamamoto – Japan
What an incredible ride to basketball stardom it has been for the guard during the last couple of years. She has risen from the pack to become a marquee player and is a poster player of the Akatsuki. In perpetual motion when she is on the court, her internal engine never stops and combined with her sky-high skill level, she can terrorize a defense.
MVP at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron, she showed her full range of capabilities. Penetration to the hoop, making the most of her shooting range or handing out assists, Yamamoto is always active and producing. She’s great fun to watch too.
Emma Meesseman – Belgium
A phenomenal leader and renowned as one of the best Europeans to have ever stepped onto the FIBA international stage, that could soon be expanded to one of the best in the world. She was crowned MVP at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 when the driving force behind a historical first ever title for the Cats. She then started off 2024 in a similar vein.
Playing in front of adoring Belgian fans who turned out in record numbers in Antwerp, the forward was named MVP of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024. Now about to spearhead Belgium’s quest for a first ever Olympic medal, Meesseman will show her full range of incredible skills right across the various stats categories.
Yueru Li – China
If China are to have a great Olympics and recapture their form from Sydney 2022 on the global stage, then maybe Li is key to this. Her teammate Xu Han normally takes a lof of the spotlight, but at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Xi’An, a huge double-double from the center erased any doubts as to how important she is for her country.
China have struggled in preparation, but with Li back firing and using her great post skills and strength down low, their frontcourt will be even more effective. She also brings new perspectives and experience from a run to the 2024 EuroCup Women Final with Besiktas.
Marine Johannes – France
On home soil and in front of her adoring French fans, this is the perfect time for Johannes to lock in possible legend status with a headline-making display that leaves us all breathless. It’s not just about delivering for French basketball and the French nation.
If the guard is in full flow and handing out magical assists and shooting from all angles, it’s amazing for ball fans in general as the highlights package will be as immense as usual. There will be a lot of pressure, but Johannes will surely inject this and the passion of the crowd into her veins and thrive off it. From an entertainment perspective alone, MJ is box-office max!
Napheesa Collier – USA
Could this be the time for Collier to rise up and get herself closer to the front of the USA queue in terms of MVP and the All-Star Five? Some of her teammates will be difficult to edge out of this race, but with each passing game, it looks and feels like the influence of the forward is growing at a rapid rate.
Her imposing size on the wing, combined with an all-around ability to score from inside and out makes her a major headache for opponents. Very efficient, super smart and putting up numbers without any huge hype around her name or game, that last part could now change.
Ezi Magbegor – Australia
One of the best centers in the FIBA global game, the mobility, length and athleticism of Magbegor alone makes her a nightmare for rivals at both ends of the floor. In recent years, her production has been on the increase and she’s moved into the top tier of world stars.
Whether hunting for shots to block, grabbing boards or making moves in the paint with her footwork, she will be a force for the Opals. They may have a roster that runs way deep from 1-12, but Magbegor showed as MVP of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Brazil why she’s so important.
Xu Han – China
A poster player in China where she is absolutely loved, Xu Han is also one of the most popular ballers in the world among her peers and with wider women’s hoops fans. Almost always combing her trademark smile with exquisite contributions on the floor, it would be a shock if the towering center is not a team leader and one of the stars of Paris 2024.
Named MVP of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 when China won their first silverware in over a decade, that kind of impact will be anticipated again. With colleagues absent, Han has been carrying a load in the extensive preparation games during past months, but she’ll be hopefully of having plenty of gas left in the tank so she can drive China towards the podium.
Breanna Stewart – USA
Some players need little if any introduction – and sometimes not even their full name. Step forward ‘Stewie’, an unbelievable baller and someone who many feel is very much the best in the world. With so many gold medals and individual honors, her resume is spectacular.
A momentum shifter and deal-breaker who is built for the clutch, Stewart will be high on the list of USA players most likely to fuel a staggering 10th gold medal at the Games. Now hugely experienced as well as being uber-skilled, prepare to watch her turn heads like always.
FIBA