2024 Olympics (Paris) - Women Basketball Competition

[FilWelsh]

Off- topic: As of this early, Caitlin Clark - Angel Reese has the making of a great rivalry reminishes that of Larry Bird- Magic Johnson. The Bird- Magic had driven NBA to increased its reach and mileage which contributed popularity of NBA attaining its peak during MJ’s two 3peat era.

[FilWelsh]

US women 3x3 squad finalised.

Cameron Brink - L.A. Sparks (WNBA)
Cierra Burdick - free agent
Rhyne Howard - Atlanta (WNBA)
Hailey Van Lith - TCU ( NCAA)

Coach : Jennifer Rizzotti - Connecticut (WNBA)
Asst. coach : Tammi Reiss - Rhode Island (NCAA)
Managing Director : Jay Demings

Dearica Hamby replaces her L.A. Sparks teammate Brink. Cameron Brink incurred ACL injury that ruled her out from current WNBA season and forthcoming Paris Olympics…

[FilWelsh]

USA Women NT

Diana Taurasi
Brittney Griner
Breanna Stewart
A’ja Wilson
Napheesa Collier
Jewell Lloyd
Chelsea Gray
Kelsey Plum
Jackie Young
Alyssa Thomas
Sabrina Ionescu
Kahleah Copper

Head coach : Cheryl Reeve
Asst. coaches : Kara Lawson ; Joni Taylor ; Mike Thibault

[FilWelsh]

No Caitlin Clark with USA Women NT… Coach Cheryl Reeve opted for experience and chemistry as she pick
veteran players she knows and those who already played with senior side. As expected there’s loads of reactions why Caitlin is omitted. She is the face of WNBA and its most valuable asset but is overlooked. Maybe the selectors think that Caitlin is not yet ready for Olympics and her time will come. Methinks, it’s not all negative as there is a plus thing that Caitlin can get from her omission. It will get an impetus and a fire to improve further her game. Besides she is been playing non-stop since 2023 pre- NCAA season, definitely she need a break and refresh her body…

[FilWelsh]

US women 3x3 squad finalised.

Cameron Brink - L.A. Sparks (WNBA)
Cierra Burdick - free agent
Rhyne Howard - Atlanta (WNBA)
Hailey Van Lith - TCU ( NCAA)

Coach : Jennifer Rizzotti - Connecticut (WNBA)
Asst. coach : Tammi Reiss - Rhode Island (NCAA)
Managing Director : Jay Demings

[FilWelsh]

And there is a high likelihood that Van Lith will be included in USA 3x3 national team for Paris Olympics

My final crew for womens 3x3 are Burdick, R. Howard, A. Gray & Van Lith. I made one tweak from Basketball USA’’s instead of Hull, I’ll go for Gray.

https://www.usab.com/news/2024/04/usa-takes-second-at-fiba-3x3-women-series-springfield-stop-at-naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame

[FilWelsh]

South Carolina vs Iowa in finals…. Potentially a records breaker in TV viewership….

[FilWelsh]

And there is a high likelihood that Van Lith will be included in USA 3x3 national team for Paris Olympics

[FilWelsh]

I pity Van Lith she transferred to LSU from Louisville to seek a ring but again humbled by Clark…

Though Van Lith and C.Clark has some sort of rivalry but flashback in 2019 World under 19 championships whilst playing for US teams they were roommates. In 2023 elite 8 after Iowa-Louisville game, Caitlin taunted Van Lith with a “You can’t see me gesture”… Nevertheless, they remain textmates since their U-19 days… their college rivalry just culminated yesterday’s game. Caitlin will be joining WNBA. This is good thing about womens basketball as there’s loads of storylines and subplots…

[FilWelsh]

I pity Van Lith she transferred to LSU from Louisville to seek a ring but again humbled by Clark…

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US 3x3 team is set. They put more weight on cohesiveness and chemistry hence they keep their World Cup team intact for another shot this summer in Paris… Fredette, Maddox, Barry and Travis are back…

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So I can draw parallel with Angel- Caitlin rivalry albeit women version with that of Magic and Larry which catapulted and heralded a new era of NBA’s popularity which reached its climax in 1998 Finals before MJ’s first retirement…

[FilWelsh]

Tonight’s game (LSU-Iowa) is predicted to break US NCAA women records TV viewership of almost 10 millions which they set last year? For your info, the Men’s records were set 45 years ago when Magic’s Michigan State and Bird’s Indiana State met in 1979 US NCAA mens’ Finals with TV audience of more 30 millions…

[FilWelsh]

About 10 hours from now will be a grudge game pitting Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark in rematch from last year’s Iowa-LSU match… will Angel with her superb supporting crew able to repeat their 2023 conquest or will Caitlin able to defy the odds overcome their tormentors? We will find out tonight…

[FilWelsh]

Caitlin is included in 14 person squad Team USA for Paris Olympics…

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/28/caitlin-clark-named-to-team-usa-roster-ahead-of-paris-olympics