MIES (Switzerland) - Labelled as the best Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in history, there was so much for everyone to love both on and off the court at Paris 2024.
There were countless historical and magical moments in the competition and we've picked out the 10 biggest and most amazing stories from an unforgettable Games.
10. A brilliant 45 EFF in bronze medal match for Magbegor
Having only had a modestly impactful campaign, Opals' star Ezi Magbegor signed off with one of the best individual displays the event has ever seen. It was timely as well, since it carried Australia past a talented Belgium team and to the third step of the podium. The center proved unstoppable with a remarkable performance efficiency valuation of 45, coming from 30 points on 12 of 17 field goal shooting, as well as 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
9. An absolutely fabulous future for France
While host nation France captured everyone's attention for their superb run to the gold medal and coming agonizingly close to toppling seven time winners USA, there was a hugely important sub-plot. Those fans who gave such amazing backing to the hosts can expect to be off their seats and cheering for a long time to come. France showed the whole women's basketball world that they can be a real power. Their intense and suffocating defence, quality and depth, plus a conveyor belt of young guns continually coming through means it's will be boom time way beyond 2024 and 2025.
8. Emma Meesseman and her magical scoring streak
Highlighting why she is one of the best ballers on the planet and now entering into any GOAT conversation, Meesseman extended her stellar scoring streak across the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournaments at Tokyo 2020 and at Paris 2024. She became the first player in history to have ever scored more than 20 points in six consecutive games and went one better by making it seven games in a row. As usual, what a tour de force she was for the Cats.
7. History-making Germany showing they're the real deal
It's a wonderful time for German basketball. After posting a historic best ever finish of 6th at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, reaching a first ever Olympic Games, being named FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 co-hosts and also hosts of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026. They then acheived a first Olympic victory by shocking neighbours Belgium, made the Quarter-Finals by beating Japan, and showed they're the real deal. Satou Sabally was brilliant, as were many of her teammates, with Frieda Buhner breaking out as a young gun. The future looks so exciting.
6. Legendary LJ signing off with a medal
What's left to say about a legend like Lauren Jackson aka LJ? The oldest player (women or men) to ever step out onto an Olympic basketball court, is was a fitting send off as she took bronze with the Opals on the last day of the event. It had a nice symmetry to it, since the last time it looked like she had retired, she landed a fairytale bronze on home soil at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney. An amazing player and athlete-mom, she stepped off the stage in Paris 2024 with even more love and respect from everyone associated with women's hoops.
5. A sixth Olympic gold for the GOAT
Diana Taurasi hung her up game shoes holding a staggering sixth Olympic gold medal. Something not only amazing within a basketball context, but also within a wider Olympic history context too - being the highest ever tally in team sports. Five golds was special when everyone thought she was stepping down after Tokyo 2020, so to get number six was phenomenal. What a legacy.
4. 'The miracle of Lille'
Never. Ever. Give. Up. That was the heroic lesson learned from Belgium as they won by the 27 points they needed against Japan to book a ticket to the Quarter-Finals and make the switch from Lille to Paris. Epitomizing the spirit of the Games, Belgium had lost their first two matches and needed what everyone described as a near impossible task. But climbing a basketball mountain, they showed incredible belief to do it. Much to the delight of the staggering number of Belgian fans present, who will always remember a game and experience now coined as 'The Miracle of Lille'.
3. A fantastic and historic fairytale run for D'Tigress
Perhaps the best campaign by any underdog in the competition ever. This was simply remarkable by Nigeria who won for the first time in the Group stage, became the first African team to win twice at the event and then topped it by becoming the first African nation (women or men) to reach the Quarter-Finals. Their playcaller Rene Wakama walked off deservedly with the Best Coach accolade, with Ezinne Kalu starring on the court with her leadership and skills.
2. A fitting Final for the ages
With so much basketball brilliance having already been served up, the only thing that could potentially spoil the Games was an anti-climax in the title game. But it was as far away from an anti-climax as possible. It wasn't just a good game to finish, it was a fitting Final for the ages as France almost caused the upset against a three-decade dominant USA. The noise, the passion, the effort of a superb French team and the champion heart of the holders who clung to their title in dramatic circumstances - led by MVP A'ja Wilson. Wow - even just thinking about it leaves you breathless.
1. Record-breaking crowds and an incredible global passion for hoops
The drama and excitement of the basketball on the court was absolutely amazing, so this underlines just how special it was that the biggest story was surely the record-breaking crowds, as well as unprecedented digital engagement. Captitvated by a shared love and passion for the sport, the atmosphere and number of fans at both venues was extraordinary and spine-tingling. Meanwhile the digital engagement numbers also showed why the sport is played and watched by so many people in every corner of the planet. Paris 2024 really didprove to be a perfect showcase!
FIBA