Monday, November 4, 2024

Oldest players in women’s USA Basketball history: Diana Taurasi set to break records at 2024 Paris Olympics | Sporting News

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When USA Basketball announced its women’s national team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, one name in particular came as no surprise.

Team USA captain Diana Taurasi was one of the 12 women on the roster, as she prepares to build upon her legendary Olympic basketball legacy.

The 42-year-old guard has been a staple member of Team USA since her 2004 Olympic debut in Athens. She has been a part of five of the United States’ seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and is looking to add a historic sixth to her trophy case.

Taurasi already holds several United States and Olympic women’s basketball records. She is set to make history the second she steps on the court in Paris, and she will try to chase a few more records with her performance at the 2024 Summer Games.

Take a look at where Taurasi ranks among the oldest women’s players in USA Basketball history and the Olympic records she holds.

MORE: How Caitlin Clark can still make Team USA Olympics roster

Oldest players in women’s USA Basketball history

When Taurasi suits up for Team USA in Paris, she will become the oldest Olympic basketball player ever and the first women’s basketball player to compete in six Olympics.

USA Basketball legend Sue Bird set a new record when she represented her country at 41 years old at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Taurasi, who just turned 42, will take that title when she checks into her first game in Paris.

You can find the oldest United States women’s basketball players to compete in an Olympic Games below.

Rank Player Age Olympic Year
1. Diana Taurasi* 42 2024
2. Sue Bird 41 2021
3. Tamika Catchings 37 2016
T4. Lisa Leslie 36 2008
  Teresa Edwards 36 2000
T6. Sylvia Fowles 35 2021
  Sue Bird 35 2016
T8. Lindsay Whalen 34 2016
  Diana Taurasi 34 2016
  Katie Smith 34 2008
  Yolanda Griffith 34 2004
  Dawn Staley 34 2004

*Taurasi will not own the record until she plays in the 2024 Olympic Games.

MORE: Diana Taurasi speaks on Caitlin Clark’s Olympic basketball snub

Diana Taurasi Olympic records

Taurasi already holds a handful of Olympic records — both for the United States and the Games as a whole.

Her five gold medals are tied with Bird and Teresa Edwards for the most in Olympic basketball history, regardless of gender. Taurasi would stand alone in Olympic history if the United States can secure a sixth gold medal in Paris.

She ranks first in women’s Olympic basketball history in games played (38) and 3-point field goals (78). She ranks second in points (414) and third in assists (97) in United States Olympic basketball history.

Taurasi trails the great Lisa Leslie (488) by 74 points for the most in United States women’s basketball Olympics history. She has a chance to break that record at the 2024 Games if she gets enough playing time.

Category Stat USA Rank Olympics Rank
Gold Medals 5 T-1st T-1st
Games Played 38 1st 1st
Points 414 2nd 4th
Assists 97 3rd T-4th
3-Pointers 78 1st 1st

Team USA women’s basketball Olympic roster 2024

Former WNBA MVPs Wilson and Stewart are the headliners for the 2024 USA Olympics roster. Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, and Alyssa Thomas represent the first-time Olympians for the United States.

Take a look at how the rest of the star-studded lineup shakes out.

Player Position WNBA Team
Napheesa Collier F Minnesota Lynx
Kahleah Copper G Phoenix Mercury
Chelsea Gray G Las Vegas Aces
Brittney Griner C Phoenix Mercury
Sabrina Ionescu G New York Liberty
Jewell Loyd G Seattle Storm
Kelsey Plum G Las Vegas Aces
Breanna Stewart F New York Liberty
Diana Taurasi G Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas F Connecticut Sun
A’ja Wilson F Las Vegas Aces
Jackie Young G Las Vegas Aces

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