Moore: 'We respected the game and did everything we needed to do to deserve this gold'

RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - If one asks Maya Moore the significance of winning her second Olympic gold medal, she is likely to explain why leadership and respect matters.

With the USA's 101-72 triumph over Spain in Saturday's Gold Medal Game, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings became four-time Olympic gold medallist and they are the ones who Moore looks up to.

Taurasi, Catchings and Bird have won 12 Olympic gold medals together

"Super special," the 27-year-old said in describing the moment she received her Rio Olympics gold medal. "I just feel so privileged to have those leaders ahead of me, to watch them, to play alongside them, to just learn, so that in the future when I'm in moments where leadership is needed, I can call on the memories I've had with them."

Over the years, Moore has risen to stardom not only because of her three WNBA titles but also because of her impact on the USA basketball programme, which she helped win two FIBA Women's World Championship titles.

"Just grateful. It's just special," she said.

The Americans finished their Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament undefeated in eight games, but Moore insists it was tougher than it appeared.

"It's one thing to do something unexpected, but it's another thing to do something you're supposed to do, year after year, game after game, quarter after quarter, and this team didn't get complacent," she explained.

"I think that's the sign of a true champion, someone who loves the game and plays for the right reasons. Every quarter that we stepped on the court, we respected the game, we respected each other, and did everything we needed to do to deserve this gold."

FIBA