After winning an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal Sunday, the U.S. women’s basketball team once again can say: “Mission accomplished.” The players and coaches aren’t thinking about the 2028 Olympics right now after escaping France 67-66. But it’s tempting to look four years into the future at which players might make the U.S. roster for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Will current WNBA rookie standouts Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky be on Team USA then? Clark’s Fever teammate Aliyah Boston? What about college standouts such as USC’s JuJu Watkins, UConn’s Paige Bueckers or Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, among others?
Much can happen in four years, both positive (player development) and negative (injuries). The makeup of the selection committee impacts Olympic roster choices, as do the head coaches, who don’t construct the roster but offer input on what they think the team needs from on-court play and chemistry.
Individual players’ commitment to and history with USA Basketball — which continues to have by far the most talented pool of candidates from which to choose — also is a factor. The most elite players on the women’s side remain highly motivated to play in the Olympics.
Which players on the 2024 team might not be Olympians in 2028, making way for some newcomers? With her sixth Olympic gold, 42-year-old Diana Taurasi likely has concluded her national team career after a remarkable two-decade stretch.
Taurasi’s Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner will be 37 when the Los Angeles Games take place July 14-30, 2028. Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas will be 36, and Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray 35.
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd will be 34. New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, Mercury guard/forward Kahleah Copper and Las Vegas guard Kelsey Plum all will be 33.
