PARIS (France) - The countdown to the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 is in the final stages and with excitement building by the day, it's time to assess the prospects of each nation as things stand.
Taking into account the squad and roster announcements, preparation games, expectations and the draw, here's how it's looking for our first volume of the Power Rankings.
12. Nigeria
They have it all to do, but should still roar with delight at the return of Ezinne Kalu. Getting their leading backcourt baller back for the big show will have D'Tigress fans dancing on the streets of Abuja.
Prior to this news, all of the eggs were in Amy Okonkwo's basket. As great as she is, the pressure to perform has lifted slightly. They didn't get a win in Tokyo but left some marks on teams that faced them. It's a recipe they might follow when they hit that hardwood in Lille.
11. Puerto Rico
Can they get that first ever Olympic victory this time? Well, maybe. Nobody expected anything at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 but they left many women's hoops observers looking like fools as they rode their way into the Quarter-Finals.
The question remains - is the nice one-two punch of Arella Guirantes and Mya Hollingshed going to be enough? If PR want the basketball fiesta of all fiestas after a historic triumph, that supporting cast are going to have to put their foot on the accelerator and shift up the gears! They have also struggled to dig out preparation victories so far and lost heavily to Poland.
10. Serbia
In the history of the sport, has a team used as many players in their preparation games as Serbia? Probably not. It has felt like a cast of thousands. But legendary coach Marina Maljkovic is not to be argued with. She has always been one to keep her final roster until the last minute for big tournaments and to try out younger players en-route to that big decision.
Trying to predict who she will ultimately go with is tough and at least there have been nice shows recently from Yvonne Anderson, Dragana Stankovic and Jovana Nogic. The downside are the worryingly big losses to Belgium and France during preparation in recent weeks.
9. Germany
It's celebration time for Germany fans! They now have a possibly top level playmaker for their team with the recent addition of the naturalized Alexis Peterson. This could really elevate Germany's prospects within the dreaded 'Group of Death'. With Leonie Fiebich, Nyara Sabally, Satou Sabally and Marie Guelich alongside her, that lineup is huge, huge, huge.
The only fly in the ointment is that the bench depth has a question mark over it at the top level and the start to preparation has been timid. A one point win over a Finland team absolutely flattened (twice) by France and a modest success against short-handed Portugal.
8. Spain
Ouch. It hurts not only for Spain, but basketball fans in general that the super Raquel Carrera will miss this tournament with injury. Meanwhile the fact that the wonderful veteran guard Silvia Dominguez also won't get a Paris 2024 swansong means a downbeat mode is a danger.
There's still a lot of talent and experience which picks up the mood slightly. However, it was also an agonizing decision over the naturalized spot. It was between the hugely popular Astou Ndour and recently arrived Megan Gustafson - with the latter getting the green light. There might just be an extra bright spotlight on the forward's performances. Will she deliver?
7. Canada
They used up a decades worth of luck (and probably aged a few years on that emotional roller coaster) to get to Paris 2024 after that miracle comeback win by Spain against Hungary at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron. So you can expect Canada to try and make the most of that unexpected second chance they were handed.
The return of Kia Nurse is huge as she gives another scoring outlet and experience. You have to love the inclusion of young guns like Cassandre Prosper and Syla Swords. But there's not been many preparation games so far, so let's see what direction Victor Lapena and Co go in.
6. China
The preparation has been extensive but the results are not there yet. This is in fact a wake-up call. Not quite panic alarm level, but not far away. Yes, they've missed a few big names, but they've not looked like team that won silver at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Final and won FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023. It was just one year ago.
Xu Han simply can't do it all alone. She needs help and quickly. The backcourt also needs to show it has some kind of pulse, because for much of the time in past weeks and months it has flatlined completely and there are few signs of serious life. A lot of work to do!
5. Australia
That roster rolls seriously deeper than the eye can see! The Opals are looking ready to sparkle again at the Olympics having last medaled at London 2012. Co-incidentally (or not), the last time that the Aussie GOAT LJ played at the event. The frontcourt is maybe even the best in the competition in terms of choice. Magbegor, George, Tolo, Jackson, Allen, Smith - it's crazy.
But what about Isobel Borlase? The rising star is on a one-way mission to breakout at this event. Preparation has been solid and the only concern is how on earth Coach Brondello figures out the minutes. But hey, that's a good headache to have -right?
4. Japan
Is that Tokyo 2020 energy and belief really back? It could be and so far, their preparation form has been absolutely sensational. Boosted by the return of record-breaking playmaker Rui Machida and the continued brilliance of new star baller Mai Yamamoto, the AKATSUKI JAPAN are looking highly dangerous right now.
Saki Hayashi is a menace from long-range again and the Mawuli sisters are really bringing it physically. Another deep run awaits? It's looking great at the moment - or at least if you conveniently ignore the fact they're in that 'Group of Death'.
You want to know more about their "run&gun" philosophy? It's right here.
3. France
What an opportunity! This could be a real celebration and a moment to remember in French basketball history if things click. Massively impressive in blowing away China on their homecourt in Xi'An at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024, the team has continued it's roll with impressive and unbeaten preparation so far.
The roster looks so exciting and the addition of teenage ace Dominique Malonga and fellow young gun Leila Lacan also shows this team is future proof. With Marine Johannes and Gabby Williams combining to lead the way, are momentous moments about to happen in Paris?
2. Belgium
You have to love the fact that Julie Allemand has won her race to be fit after a huge injury scare and lots of hard work and rehabilitation. It may have been five months ago, but we're still feeling the joy of that intense clash with USA at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp when the Cats were only a buzzer beater away from success.
With huge momentum behind them, plus the return of Kyara Linskens from injury too, they're looking in a good spot right now and have already logged eye-catching preparation results with huge wins against Serbia and Spain. The Cats have reason to purr right now!
1. USA
Just look down that roster and let the tears of pain roll across your cheeks if you're a fan of another team wanting gold! Every single baller has previously won gold at the Olympics or the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and in many cases, at both. It's crazy they have multiple former MVP's of those tournaments and are still setting the golden standard.
Oh and remember, Diana Taurasi is stepping out for her sixth edition - are any USA players really willing to let her down. I mean just imagine having to walk back to the locker room having missed out on a gold medal at her career swansong!
FIBA
*The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author and expert panel.