The best athletes from countless sports from all over the world convene in the same location every four years to participate in the Olympic Games. Earning a spot on your country’s Olympic roster is an honor, and this year, the athletes will be heading to Paris, France. We will focus on the Gold Medal for basketball and which countries we believe could stand atop the podium when it’s over.
Team USA has been extremely successful in this sport over the past few decades, and both the Men’s and Women’s teams are heavy favorites to win their respective medals.
- USA MEN TO WIN GOLD
- CANADA MEN TO WIN GOLD
- USA WOMEN TO WIN GOLD
- CANADA WOMEN TO WIN GOLD
USA Men’s to Win Gold
We might never see another Dream Team in Olympic basketball again, but this edition of Team USA is still elite. LeBron James is leading the charge in what should be his last Olympic Games, and he has a solid crew of All-Stars behind him. From the NBA Champion Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White have taken time out of their offseason in hopes of earning a Gold Medal. However, the All-Stars don’t stop there. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, and Tyrese Haliburton are also on the roster.
Joel Embiid stirred up controversy by electing to play for Team USA instead of Cameroon, where he was born. Plus, White was also a late addition because Kawhi Leonard backed out due to a nagging knee injury. His spot needed replacing, and while many thought that it would go to NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, they awarded his teammate. White brings a level of defense that is lacking among the guards, and his addition could be the key to Team USA winning Gold.
Team USA has played four exhibition games so far, and admittedly, the All-Star-filled team hasn’t looked all that dominant. USA started with a solid win over Canada, which appears to be Team USA’s biggest competition, following it up with a close victory over Australia, a good showing against Nikola Jokic and Serbia, and a comeback win over South Sudan as 42-point favorites. Although this is hardly what we expected to see from Team USA, these were just exhibition games. Team USA has one more exhibition game against Germany before their first game of the Olympics against Jokic and Serbia.
The biggest enemy to Team USA is itself. As long as this team of All-Stars plays selfless basketball and mediocre defense, no team can stand in their way. Although the odds are steep, they’re the favorite for a reason.
USA MEN TO WIN GOLD
Canada Men’s to Win Gold
There will be plenty of familiar faces on Team Canada if you’re an NBA fan. The team is led by 2024 MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was a big reason that the Oklahoma City Thunder earned the #1 spot in the Western Conference. His scoring ability is unparalleled, and he elevates the players around him with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Besides SGA, Canada also has Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Lu Dort, and Dillon Brooks, to name a few. Those players will be the heart of the Canadian team, but they also have a solid bench group as well. Trey Lyles, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Andrew Nembhard, Melvin Ejim, and Khem Birch complete the Team Canada roster.
It’s no secret that Team USA has some of the best scorers and playmakers in the world on their team. With their excellent shooters and physicality in the paint, they have an incredible offense. However, their defense has been a hot topic of discussion lately. That’s an aspect that Canada might have the advantage in. Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks, and Trey Lyles are phenomenal defenders. They use their physicality and quick hands to force players into bad shots or passes. With those three on the court and Jamal Murray and SGA focused on offense, Team Canada is extremely balanced.
Canada has looked solid through a few exhibition games, like their win over Puerto Rico and France. The only issue that Canada has is their height in the paint. Defending Adebayo, Davis, or Embiid on Team USA won’t be easy. But if Team USA doesn’t get Gold, it could be because Team Canada earned it.
CANADA MEN TO WIN GOLD
USA Women’s to Win Gold
The USA Women’s team comes into this Olympic Games with high expectations. The team is composed of some of the best players in the WNBA, including a few elite veterans and a few rising stars. However, a few names you might be surprised to see left off were Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
The two WNBA rookies have taken the league by storm and have already set plenty of records in their short time in the league. However, they joined Team WNBA in an exhibition game against Team USA, and the WNBA team surprised everyone with a win. Questions arose regarding whether the USA was sending the right team to Paris, but make no mistake, this Team USA is still fantastic.
If you’re a WNBA fan, you know Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, and Breanna Stewart.
They are a few of the WNBA legends who are looking to add an Olympic Gold Medal to their already accomplished resume. But, the team also has Sabrina Ionescu and A’Ja Wilson, who are part of the younger generation of WNBA stars. This team has an excellent balance between veteran leadership and young talent, and that is why they should win the Gold Medal in Paris.
USA WOMEN TO WIN GOLD
Canada Women’s to Win Gold
Team USA is a heavy favorite to earn Gold, but one team that could surprise a lot of people is Canada. The first few exhibition games weren’t great for Canada, but that’s because they were missing several key players. WNBA players Bridget Carleton, Aaliyah Edwards and Kia Nurse will be the stars for Team Canada as they bring young talent and excellent shooting to a very inexperienced team.
Canada and France appear to be very evenly matched, but I’m siding with Canada because of the WNBA experience and the team's rising stars. If Team USA were to fumble, Canada could be there to swoop in and earn Gold.
CANADA WOMEN TO WIN GOLD
