A'ja Wilson's Game-High 20 Points Helps the U.S. Women's Basketball Team Move on to the Semis

PARIS — The undefeated USA women’s basketball team remained so as they played villain to the world’s pick, Nigeria – the first ever African team, male or female, to advance to an Olympic quarterfinal – in a 88-74 victory on Wednesday evening.

A’ja Wilson contributed a game-high 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting along with 11 rebounds to the quest, and the Americans advanced to the semifinal to play Australia for the rights to play for gold. The USA women’s team is seeking its eighth consecutive gold medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. It often looks easy for them as they boast an 18-point average margin of victory in this tournament.

“It's not easy,” Diana Taurasi said. “It's different to play on this stage. The rules are different. It's international. The style of play is different. You have to get used to it.”

The global growth of basketball results in better international teams, making the United States’ unprecedented run at a 10th overall gold medal that much more difficult. Coach Cheryl Reeve credits Team USA’s depth for its dynastic run of dominance.

“We're not the USA, the dynasty, without it,” Reeve said. “I think it's what defines the dynasty, the depth of talent that the USA has."

The United States’ starting five has a combined 22 WNBA All-Star appearances and a duo of two-time WNBA MVP’s in Wilson and Breanna Stewart. There’s no drop off when the bench comes in, either. The star-studded second unit of the Americans includes WNBA Champions Brittney Griner and Taurasi, with Taurasi playing for her sixth straight gold medal.

"The athleticism and the skill level they can bring in off the bench, you're bringing Brittney Griner off the bench?” Germany coach Lisa Thomaidis said earlier in the tournament. “I mean, that's just another level. They're the best team in the world for a reason.”

The USA bench outscored Nigeria’s bench 33-9, and Griner led the second unit with 11 points on 80% shooting.

“Our bench, I mean, we try to come in and give energy,” Griner said. “We're able to sit there and see what's going on…I don't think there's a sour face on that bench anywhere. We all know our number is going to be called at any moment. You know, each game is different, and the goal is gold. So at the end of the day, time and minutes, and starting, it never comes into effect with us.”

The USA, undefeated since 1992 when it won the bronze medal, picked up its 59th straight win in Olympic play with the win over Nigeria. They’ll rally for win number 60 on Friday as they battle Australia in the semifinal.

“We know history’s not going to win anything for you,” Taurasi said. “Come out and play hard. Australia’s in two days, these teams are hard. They’ve played together for a long time. We've been together for two and a half weeks, and we're trying to figure it out. And it's always been our strength to be unselfish. Next man up, next woman up, to win a gold medal.”

Madie Chandler is writing for Team USA as a graduate student in the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University Indianapolis.