Team USA has won every women's basketball gold medal at the Olympics since the 1992 bronze medal in Barcelona, Spain. That means that the Americans are seeking their 8th-straight gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer. If they are to accomplish their goal, they will be counting on former South Carolina basketball star A'ja Wilson to lead the way.
Wilson, who helped Team USA to the gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics, is the best player in the world and the leader of this year's team. Monday marked the first contest for the United States squad as Team USA and Team Japan met on the hardwood.
The Americans' best player owned the day, dominating the game and overcoming some sloppy perimeter defense from the rest of her team in the 1st half. Wilson scored 17 points and pulled down 7 rebounds before halftime as she shot 7-11 from the field. Her effort kept Japan at arm's length despite the Japanese barrage of 3-point shots (9 makes in the 1st half).
Wilson and Team USA managed to stay ahead by a solid margin in the 2nd half and pulled off a 26-point victory. The former South Carolina basketball star finished the Olympic meeting with 24 points (on 10-16 shooting), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. She led all players from either team in scoring, rebounding, and blocking shots.
You can check out the entire box score here.
The domination serves as a continuation of what she has been doing during the WNBA season. She leads the league in points per game, rebounds per game, and blocks per game (something that has never happened in league history) and is well on her way to a third WNBA MVP.
Team USA will take the court again on Thursday, August 1st at 3:00 PM ET against Belgium.