Washington Mystics General Manager Mike Thibault will be an assistant coach for Team USA.
The Washington Mystics are not going to have any players on the USA Basketball women’s national team, according to Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Here are the players who were selected:
- A’ja Wilson, F, Las Vegas Aces
- Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty
- Diana Taurasi, G, Phoenix Mercury
- Alyssa Thomas, F, Connecticut Sun
- Brittney Griner, C, Phoenix Mercury
- Napheesa Collier, F, Minnesota Lynx
- Jewell Loyd, G, Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum, G, Las Vegas Aces
- Jackie Young, G, Las Vegas Aces
- Kahleah Copper, F, Phoenix Mercury
- Sabrina lonescu, G, New York Liberty
- Chelsea Gray, G, Las Vegas Aces
It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Mystics guard Ariel Atkins and center Shakira Austin weren’t selected for the Olympic team. Both were on the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup team and Atkins was also on the 2020 Olympic team. However, Austin is still recovering from a hip injury last year. And Atkins was competing against a stacked group of guards for spots.
Also, the Mystics are 0-11 this season. I’m not sure if any player on the WNBA’s worst team to this point deserves to play on the American Olympic team. At least Mystics General Manager Mike Thibault will be an assistant coach there.
Though the Mystics won’t have Team USA players, they will have multiple players on Olympic teams. Julie Vanloo will represent Belgium, where the Cats are in prime position to medal. Aaliyah Edwards will represent Canada. And it’s possible that Jade Melbourne will represent Australia. We will still cover Olympic women’s basketball this summer, but focus more on the teams that have Mystics players.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.