LILLE (France) - There will be some amazing ballers on show at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 and one of them will be crowned MVP of the competition.
In this first 'MVP Ladder' we take a look at who is looking like they are in contention ahead of the curtain being raised. We will then update the ladder with movers as the competition progresses.
10. Bridget Carleton - Canada
It might feel unlikely Canada can threaten to ride their way to the Final after barely managing to qualify for Paris 2024 at all. However, they did reach the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 off the back of Carleton's brilliance. So if they can replicate that kind of deep run, you can expect the offensive power of Carleton to be a major factor.
9. Mai Yamamoto - Japan
Japan have a difficult job when it comes to even getting past the first phase because of the 'Group of Death'. However, they are capable of getting the wins needed to advance and if that happens, then the hugely talented guard will more than likely rise up. She was sensational at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 and at the FIBA Women's Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron.
8. Gabby Williams - France
Everyone is excited by an unbeaten preparation period for France, which followed on from a perfect FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in China earlier this year. It was Williams who stole the show with an TISSOT MVP effort. If France realize the opportunity in front of them and head toward a medal in Paris, it could be Williams at the front of the MVP queue.
7. Ezi Magbegor - Australia
If the Opals deliver against their potential, they could have a deep run in the tournament. If they edge towards the podium or maybe even a Final appearance, it's likely Magbegor will be the main driver. Considering the way she continues to play and grow on the elite stage, it's certainly a strong possibility MVP status could be attained - just look at how dominant and impressive she was at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Brazil.
6. Napheesa Collier - USA
The forward is beginning to turn the screw when it comes to her influence on Olympic gold medal favorites USA. At the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belgium earlier this year, she put in some great displays and any kind of a repeat could see her thrust into the limelight even further and picking up the accolade.
5. Xu Han - China
If China wake from their recent slumber and re-energize themselves to find the form that took them to the brink of being World Champions less than two years ago, the center will be the driving force. Already the reigning TISSOT MVP of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023, expect Han to rack up some huge performances and stay in the MVP race.
4. Marine Johannes - France
Is it written in the stars? That, on home soil, the one-and-only MJ inspires the team and the fans to glory? If she does deliver and takes France to the title game, MVP is open even if they have to be satisfied with silver. You can not rule it out because of the guard's insane levels of talent.
3. Breanna Stewart - USA
'Stewie' knows plenty about MVP awards as her resume is bulging with all of the awards she has racked up. One of her most prominent was at the global level when she was crowned TISSOT MVP of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018. Always a game-changer, always leading USA in so many ways, it would be astounding if she was not in the reckoning.
2. Emma Meesseman - Belgium
You had might as well call the Cats' team leader Emma 'MVP' Meesseman for all the honors she has already taken with the country and in EuroLeague Women, too. She comes into this tournament having been crowned TISSOT MVP of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 and then TISSOT MVP of the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024. It's what the classy forward does.
1. A'ja Wilson - USA
Amazing at Tokyo 2020 when leading USA to gold in the Japanese capital, she was crowned TISSOT MVP of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. Having won MVP titles going all the way back to FIBA youth level and up to the current day, Wilson is surely favorite to do it again heading into this competition. That's why she is top of this first MVP ladder.
FIBA
This is not an official MVP candidate list and has been put together for editorial purposes, for the enjoyment of fans only.