Biles and Ledecky give us the best moments of the Olympic Games in Paris
The Paris Olympics are over and Mackenzie Salmon analyzes the best moments, including when Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky cemented their GOAT title.
PARIS – A’ja Wilson is the best player in the world, by far.
The US women’s basketball team won their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
After decades of effortlessly winning Olympic gold medals and world titles, the Americans were tested by France in a way never seen before on Sunday at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. They were hunted relentlessly from the first game, trailing on multiple occasions, booed by a raucous crowd that loves Les Bleues and craves chaos.
But the Americans’ winning streak was not to end under Wilson’s leadership.
“We just knew what we had to do,” Wilson, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, said in a television interview after the 67-66 win. “We believed in each other and that’s the best part.”
Wilson finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, both game highs. She also had four blocks, including two monster blocks early in the third quarter that helped France pull away when the Americans couldn’t score a basket, be it in euros, dollars or francs.
This was the ugliest game the U.S. women have played in, well, ever. And let’s be honest, they couldn’t have won it. They had 19 turnovers and made a measly 19-of-56 (34%) shots. But Wilson got them to the top of the medals.
If you don’t appreciate it, if she doesn’t impress you, or if you’re still upset about who wasn’t on the list, that’s your problem.
Wilson has proven her worth time and time again. First with a national title in South Carolina, where she is so revered they erected a statue of her, and now with the Las Vegas Aces, whom she has led to the last two WNBA titles.
She was the WNBA’s MVP twice and is on pace to win a third title this season. But this game could be her ultimate statement. With the Olympic title and dynasty on the line, Wilson shone brighter than anyone else.
And now she has won a second gold medal.
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