LILLE (France) - With every team having now played two games at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 it's a perfect time to reflect on those players making moves in the MVP race.
But what determines who climbs the MVP Ladder?
From their team's podium prospects, individual stats and clutch ability - as well as reasons they can and maybe can't be crowned MVP, here's the new ladder lineup!
#10 Sami Whitcomb - Australia (new)
Podium Prospects: Slim. Not least because the 1-1 Opals have some work to do to make the Quarter-Finals and are sweating on their spot, especially with France up next.
Stats: 19.5 efficiency (#8 in tournament), 16.0 points, 6.5 assists (#7), 4.0 rebounds, shooting 50.0 percent field goal shooting, 100 percent from the free throw line (#1).
Clutch ability: Strong. If you want a three-pointer or a pass dished during crunch time, Whitcomb is a nice option.
Why they can be MVP: If the Opals shift up a gear and make it to Paris, then it is likely that the veteran guard will be a driving force behind that improvement. She showed this with a brilliant display against Canada.
Why they might miss out on MVP: Realistically, the Opals don't yet look like a team that are genuine podium contenders.
#9 Bridget Carleton - Canada (+1)
Podium Prospects: Unlikely. Canada are 0-2 and still need to beat an unpredictable Nigeria to have a chance of progressing.
Stats: 20.0 efficiency, 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 50.0 percent field goal shooting, no free throws taken.
Clutch ability: If the ball is landing in Carleton's hands at the pivotal moment, then the opposing team needs to be worried. She's a deal-breaker - especially from downtown.
Why they can be MVP: She's Canada's standout player, so if they get rolling like they did at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 when they made the Semi-Finals, who knows?
Why they might miss out on MVP: Her team still looks most likely to come up short.
#8 Yueru Li - China (new)
Podium Prospects: Currently 0-2, including a 21-point loss to Serbia, there is no doubt that the podium is far away on the horizon for China at this moment.
Stats: 26.0 efficiency (#4), 19.5points, 13.0 rebounds (#1), 57.9 percent field goal shooting, 76.2 percent from the free throw line.
Clutch ability: If it's thrown into the post then Li takes some stopping.
Why they can be MVP: In the event China launch an amazing rescue mission and save their campaign, then with Xu Han quieter than normal, it would be Yueru Li potentially as the one to take over the lead role.
Why they might miss out on MVP: China's prospects are on life support. Plus, even if they do recover, she will have one eye on her teammate Meng Li who is also in decent form too.
#7 Megan Gustafson - Spain (new)
Podium Prospects: Increasing.
Stats: 29.0 efficiency (#3), 23.5 points (#4), 10.5 rebounds (#3), 2.5 steals, 61.8 percent field goal shooting, 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
Clutch ability: Because she can score inside with the best of them, but also has shooting-range, you can expect Gustafson to have a big say at the end of any game.
Why they can be MVP: She is tearing it up on an individual basis and demonstrating that it was the right decision to give her the thumbs up in the naturalized slot. The forward is balling out and if Spain do rise up, she will continue to be the go-to baller.
Why they might miss out on MVP: Spain could be 0-2 right now but squeezed out a pair of one-point wins. That is good of course, but it doesn't scream medal potential quite yet.
#6 Marine Johannes - France (-2)
Podium Prospects: Looking absolutely locked.
Stats: 7.5 efficiency, 11.0 points, 2.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 40.0 percent field goal shooting, no free throws taken
Clutch ability: Confirmed in her DNA already.
Why they can be MVP: Because it's written in the stars? Home soil, an adoring crowd, a great French team, the poster girl who loves big shots. It's not a Hollywood script, it could happen.
Why they might miss out on MVP: USA, USA, USA. And she did not shoot well in her first game.
#5 Gabby Williams - France (+3)
Podium Prospects: Is there another way to say "Looking absolutely locked?" Probably...
Stats: 21.5 efficiency, 13.0 points, 7.5 assists (#3), 5.5 steals (#1), 4.0 rebounds, 60.0 percent field goal shooting, 28.6 percent from the free throw line (2 for 7).
Clutch ability: Powerful and especially at the defensive end. We always think of clutch in the context of game-winning shots, but with Williams it could easily be a steal that captures the W for her team.
Why they can be MVP: She's setting the tone at both ends of the floor for a team that looks destined for the Final at this rate.
Why they might miss out on MVP: USA, USA, USA
#4 Emma Meesseman - Belgium (-2)
Podium Prospects: Not great. After two double-digit losses, their hopes have faded of even making the Quarter-Finals, but if anyone can (perform near miracles), then maybe Emma can.
Stats: 24.0 efficiency (#6), 24.5 points (#2), 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks (#2), 61.8 percent field goal shooting, 63.6 percent from the free throw line.
Clutch ability: It's what she does.
Why they can be MVP: Because she's one of the absolute best there is and if Belgium dig themselves out of this hole, it will be Meesseman that is the inspiration for any onward push towards that podium.
Why they might miss out on MVP: They are staring down the barrel at a painful early exit.
#3 Satou Sabally - Germany (new)
Podium Prospects: Transformed with two huge wins. That podium is almost getting within touching distance!
Stats: 24.5 efficiency (#5), 25.0 points (#1) 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 51.9 percent field goal shooting, 88.9 percent from the free throw line.
Clutch ability: All eyes on the forward down the stretch of the next big games. If anyone's getting it done for the rookies, it's Sabally.
Why they can be MVP: She showed her tremendous impact for the newcomers with that sensational 33 points against Japan. It showcased her skills and if Germany continue this fairyale ride all the way to the Final - guess who could be at the front of the MVP queue?
Why they might miss out on MVP: Injury concerns ironically to Satou's sister Nyara, who is another top performer but currently sidelined, could have a negative impact on them continuing their podium challenge.
#2 A'ja Wilson - USA (-1)
Podium Prospects: As close as you can ever come in basketball to a guarantee.
Stats: 29.5 efficiency (#2), 23.5 points (#4), 13.0 (#1) rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks (#2), 57.6 percent field goal shooting, 75.0 percent from the free throw line.
Clutch ability: If that ball is caught by Wilson in the paint at the death, it's normally game over!
Why they can be MVP: Because they have done it all before at the global level as MVP.
Why they might miss out on MVP: Look to your left A'ja, that's Breanna Stewart.
#1 Breanna Stewart - USA (+2)
Podium Prospects: Golden.
Stats: 33.0 efficiency (#1), 24.0 points (#3), 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.0 blocks (#1), 66.0 percent field goal shooting, 90.0 percent from the free throw line.
Clutch ability: It's maybe unrivaled.
Why they can be MVP: Because they have done it all before at the global level as MVP.
Why they might miss out on MVP: Look to your left Breanna, that's A'ja Wilson.
*The MVP Ladder rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
FIBA