US women’s team for Paris Olympics features 3 Phoenix Mercury stars

Jun 11, 2024, 8:25 AM | Updated: 8:29 am

Phoenix Mercury stars Diana Taurasi (right), Brittney Griner (left) and Kahleah Copper will reportedly represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Phoenix Mercury stars Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper will represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics this summer.

The roster was first reported by The Athletic.

This will be Taurasi’s sixth time competing in the Olympics, breaking a record for most Olympics played in the sport of basketball. She has the chance to break the tie with Sue Bird for most Olympic gold medals by USA Basketball player, men’s or women’s.

The team will gather for training camp in Phoenix leading into the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20. The national team will face off against a team of All-Stars for the game.

Griner made her season debut on Friday in the team’s victory over the Minnesota Lynx. She debuted with 11 points, four rebounds and a block in just over 21 minutes after returning from a toe fracture. It’ll be Griner’s third time representing Team USA at the Olympics.

Copper, who played hero and sank a three-pointer in the final seconds of Friday’s win, will also represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics. She’s averaging 23.5 points per game in her first season with the Mercury.

The WNBA season will be taking a hiatus from July 21 to Aug. 14 as the Olympics take place. The USA will open the tournament in Group C with Germany, Japan and Belgium. Its first game will be against Japan on July 29.

Team USA is vying for its eighth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics, and 10th since women’s basketball was added to the Olympic program in 1976.

“On behalf of USA Basketball, I’m excited to announce the 2024 USA Women’s National Team,” said USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti in a release. “We have selected a team that we are confident will represent our country to the highest standard in Paris. Basketball in the United States boasts unparalleled depth, making this a challenging and competitive process. The commitment these athletes have shown to USA Basketball is unmatched and I look forward to watching them take on the World in Paris.”