PARIS & LILLE (France) - The dust is already settling on an epic Women's Olympic Baskteball Tournament Paris 2024 and so it's time to reflect on which ballers made the biggest impression for their respective teams.
We have picked out the players that can get their hands on the crown of being their team's MVP!
Maki Takada - Japan
Stats: 13.5 EFF, 15.3 points, 3.0 rebounds - 61.3% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 75.0% FT
It was a hugely disappointing display from Japan, even if they had strong mitigation of losing star baller Mai Yamamoto and being in the 'Group of Death'. Takada was the one player who really did emerge with huge credit. She shot the ball really well from inside and out.
Bridget Carleton - Canada
Stats: 14.3 EFF, 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals per game, - 40.0% FG, 39.1% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Canada continued with their barren run at the Games as they went 0-3 and Carleton did everything in her power to help them get a victory on the board. She did a great job from scoring to crashing the glass and was one player who impressed at both ends of the floor.
Trinity San Antonio - Puerto Rico
Stats: 10.7 EFF, 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.0 assists per game - 60.0% FG, 100.0% 3PT, 50.0% FT
The guard played brilliantly for Puerto Rico and almost helped them get that first ever historical success they are craving. Offensively she made plenty of shots, while on defense she set the tone with 3.0 steals per game. Still young, she can be a future leader for sure.
Yueru Li - China
Stats: 21.7 EFF, 17.7 points, 11.0 rebounds per game - 63.0% FG, 66.7% FT
China only just missed out on the Quarter-Finals and the fact they came so close to reaching Paris was down to their center. Li posted a super tournament double-double, was a handful inside the paint like always and shot the ball better than anyone else on the team.
Megan Gustafson - Spain
Stats: 23.0 EFF, 18.0 points, 9.3 rebounds per game - 57.7% FG, 30.8% 3PT, 80.0% FT
From an individual standpoint, the first major tournament for Gustafson could barely have went any better. She was the standout baller for Spain in just about every game and showcased her strength, mobility and extended shooting range for the Quarter-Finalists.
Ezinne Kalu - Nigeria
Stats: 15.8 EFF, 18.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals per game - 47.8% FG, 38.9% 3PT, 82.1% FT
It was a truly epic display from the guard who came back after three years away from the national team. Kalu was on fire from start to finish with her leadership and inspired history. She scored buckets inside and out, created buckets for others and set the tone defensively.
Jovana Nogic - Serbia
Stats: 12.0 EFF, 12.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals assists per game - 36.7% FG, 43.5% 3PT, 100% FT
It was a disappointing way for Serbia to exit with a heavy defeat in the Quarter-Finals but this crystalized how Nogic must be a main leader moving forward and step up. She might have been expecting even more in terms of points production, but overall was very solid.
Satou Sabally - Germany
Stats: 14.3 EFF, 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game - 40.0% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 87.5% FT
It might sting for Sabally that her last game against France in the Quarter-Finals was the one when she was off-form. However, she was a colossus for Germany and propelled the Olympic rookies to a historic first win and into the last eight. She was unstoppable at times, especially when she scored a tournament-high 33 points against Japan.
Emma Meesseman - Belgium
Stats: 28.5 EFF, 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.5 blocks per game - 58.4% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 73.9% FT
Majestic again, considering the super-intense defensive attention she got, the eventual numbers that Meesseman produced were phenomenal. It's a pity from her perspective that the Cats had to endure double-heartache and she didn't get a medal.
Alanna Smith - Australia
Stats: 15.8 EFF, 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game - 52.0% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 63.2% FT
There were plenty of positives for the bronze-medal winners with the emergence of Jade Melbourne, the crazy efficiency in the last game of Ezi Magbegor and stellar early work of Sami Whitcomb. But it felt like the absolute rock of the Opals' accomplishment was Smith posting her best-ever tournament in an Opals vest. Gritty, aggressive and highly effective.
Gabby Williams - France
Stats: 18.8 EFF, 15.5 points, 4.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 steals per game - 48.0% FG, 31.8% 3PT, 70% FT
She came within one foot's length of making a classic Final go to overtime with that last gasp shot as France were denied by a solitary point in the closest title game in Olympic history. The one constant throughout has been the leadership and excellence of Williams, who deservedly made the All-Star Five and also landed Best Defensive Player.
THE MVP... A'ja Wilson - USA
Stats: 25.7 EFF, 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks per game - 59.2% FG, 78.6% FT
Wilson saved the day for USA with her massive double-double in the Final and without that, surely USA's 60-game winning streak across 32 years worth of Olympic action would have ended. The forward brought it physically at both ends of the floor, led the way and after a brilliant Tokyo 2020 and FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, it's back-to-back MVP accolades - and deservedly so!
FIBA