Women’s basketball is underway at the Olympics. And sure, the U.S. national team are the overwhelming favorites. Why wouldn’t they be? The Americans have the only roster at the 204 Summer Games that is made up of only WNBA players from the top to the bottom and they are led by two of the best players in the world, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
We shouldn’t doubt for a second that they won’t be able to win an eighth straight gold medal just because Team USA lost to a group of WNBA All-Stars,
But put the Americans aside for a second. Because there is tons of great women’s basketball to be played at these Olympics by folks who aren’t on Team USA.
Here’s a few players you should pay attention to that aren’t suiting up for the stars and stripes.
Emma Meeseman, Belgium
Fans of the Washington Mystics or folks who follow the WNBA closely will remember Meeseman, as she played a key role in helping the Mystics win the WNBA title in 2019 and was named Finals MVP. The former two-time WNBA All-Star – who last played in the W in 2022 with the Chicago Sky – is 31 years old and still playing some of her best basketball.
At the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan, Meeseman led all Olympians in scoring with 27.3 points per game. And just because she isn’t in the WNBA anymore doesn’t mean that her game has dropped off. Meeseman is the two-time reigning league MVP of the Euroleague while playing for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, and was the EuroBasket MVP last year while leading Belgium to its first championship. If there’s a dark-horse challenger to upset the Americans, it’s Belgium, and Meeseman is a big reason why.
Yvonne Ejim, Canada
Ejim is among the handful of current college players suiting up for their respective countries in Olympic play this summer, and she might be the best. While playing for Gonzaga this past season, the 6-foot-1 Canadian was named the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year as she powered Gonzaga to a Sweet 16 appearance while averaging 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Ejim was also voted Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the West Coast Conference.
She’s coming back to Gonzaga for a fifth season this fall, but first aims to win some meaningful games for Canada alongside the likes of Aaliyah Edwards, Laeticia Amihere, Bridget Carleton, Kia Nurse, Natalie Achonwa, and fellow collegian Cassandre Prosper of Notre Dame.
Han Xu, China
The 6-foot-11 24-year-old played in 58 games with the New York Liberty between 2019 and 2023, averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. While those numbers don’t pop off the page, Xu has excelled in international competition and was named All-Tournament First Team at the 2022 FIBA World Cup where she averaged 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, leading China to a silver medal. At the 2021 Olympics, Xu was fourth among all Olympians in blocked shots.
China hasn’t medaled in Olympic competition since 1992. Big performances from Xu could help them bring home some hardware.
Lauren Jackson, Australia
Yes, there is a women’s basketball player in these Olympics older than Diana Taurasi.
Lauren Jackson is back, playing in the Olympics for the first time since the 2012 Summer Games in London, England. And sure, perhaps Jackson is past her prime, but we shouldn’t doubt her ability to still be able to fill up stat sheets. In June, she poured in 50 points and 15 rebounds in a single game for her club team in Australia. At the 2022 FIBA World Cup, Jackson scored 30 points in the Bronze Medal Game, a win for the Opals.
The 6-foot-5 forward is one of the most decorated players competing in these Olympics. She is a former two-time WNBA champion, a three-time WNBA MVP, a seven-time All-Star and seven-time First Team selection, and was named to the WNBA’s 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversary teams. She’s led Australia to four medals in Olympic competition and is seeking one more.
Rui Machida, Japan
At the 2021 Summer Games in her home country, Machida was a must-watch. She led all Olympians in assists, dishing out 10.8 neck-breaking dimes per game. In Japan’s semifinal win over France, Machida set the Olympics’ single-game assist record with 18. With her as the floor general, Japan won its first medal in Olympic play in 2021, taking the silver.
Machida’s breakout performance in Tokyo earned her a contract with the Washington Mystics for the 2022 season, where she averaged 5.6 points and 8.1 assists per-40 minutes across 36 games. Now, Machida is back in her comfort zone, playing on the Olympic stage.
