2024 Paris Olympics Women’s Basketball: UConn leads NCAA programs with six alums in Games, three on Team USA

Nearly 60 athletes from NCAA Division I women’s basketball will represent 10 different countries at the 2024 Paris Olympics. UConn, known for being one of the strongest programs in the nation, leads with six players participating, all coached by Geno Auriemma.

Among these UConn alumni is Diana Taurasi, competing in her sixth Olympic Games, along with Breanna Stewart, a four-time national champion with the Huskies.

Oregon and Notre Dame each have five players represented, placing them second, while UCLA follows with four.

All 12 members of Team USA played Division I basketball, and Canada has the same distinction. Puerto Rico is close behind with 11 players.

Here’s a detailed look at the NCAA programs represented and the 59 athletes involved:

Programs with multiple players on Olympic rosters

UConn	6
Oregon	5
Notre Dame	5
UCLA	4
Duke	3
Florida State	3
South Carolina	3
Oregon State	2
Texas	2
Baylor	2
Louisville	2
Rutgers	2
TCU	2
Iowa	2
Washington	2

Australia

• Alanna Smith, Stanford: The Minnesota Lynx forward played for the Cardinal from 2015 to 2019 under coach Tara VanDerveer. In her senior season, she averaged 19.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and one steal per game, earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.
• Kristy Wallace, Baylor: The Indiana Fever guard was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2015 and concluded her career with the Lady Bears by making the conference’s All-Defensive Team in 2018. During her senior year, she averaged 12.9 points per game, shooting 50.2% from the field.
• Sami Whitcomb, Washington: Whitcomb was recognized with All-Pac-10 honors in 2010, averaging 13 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Over her four years (2006-10), she scored 1,205 points, ranking 15th in program history.

Belgium

• Bethy Mununga, South Florida: Mununga played three seasons with the Bulls and became one of the top players in the program’s history, amassing 967 rebounds, which ranks third all-time at South Florida.

Canada

• Natalie Achonwa, Notre Dame: Achonwa was the youngest player on the Canadian national team at age 16 in 2009 and became Notre Dame’s first international player in 2010. She was later named to the Big East All-Freshman Team.
• Kayla Alexander, Syracuse: The center finished her career at Syracuse as the program’s all-time leader in points (2,024), blocks (350), field goals (736), free throws made (552), and tied for the most games played (140). She was named to the All-Big East First Team in 2013 and was drafted eighth overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars.
• Laeticia Amihere, South Carolina: Amihere was a member of the Gamecocks’ 2022 NCAA championship team under coach Dawn Staley. The previous year, she set a school record with nine blocks in an NCAA Tournament game against Texas in the Elite Eight.
• Bridget Carleton, Iowa State: Carleton concluded her Iowa State career with 2,142 points, ranking third in program history. She was the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2019 before being drafted 21st overall by the Connecticut Sun.
• Shay Colley, Michigan State/South Carolina: After being a top recruit in 2015, Colley started at South Carolina, had a brief stint at Pittsburgh, and finished her career at Michigan State. Despite missing much of the 2019-20 season due to Canadian national team commitments and injury, she averaged 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in her junior year.
• Aaliyah Edwards, UConn: Edwards recorded 35 double-doubles at UConn, ranking sixth in program history. In her senior season, she started all 37 games, averaging 17.6 points and leading the team with 9.2 rebounds. She was named Big East Most Improved Player of the Year in 2023 and was drafted sixth overall by the Washington Mystics in 2024.
• Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga: Ejim garnered multiple awards in her final collegiate season (2023-24) after averaging 19.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. She was honored as the 2024 Becky Hammon Player of the Year, as well as the WCC’s Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
• Nirra Fields, UCLA: Before graduating in 2016, Fields earned three All-Pac-12 selections and finished fourth on UCLA’s all-time scoring list with 1,867 points. She ranks third in program history for 3-point field goals made (138) and recorded 262 steals.
• Sami Hill, Virginia Tech: Hill played for the Hokies from 2013 to 2017, helping the team start 15-0 during her senior year. That season, she averaged 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while starting in 33 of 34 games, a significant improvement from her junior year.
• Kia Nurse, UConn: Nurse won national championships with UConn in 2015 and 2016, starting her career as the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year. In her junior season, she scored 29 points and tied an NCAA Tournament record with nine 3-pointers in a win over Syracuse.
• Cassandre Prosper, Notre Dame: Prosper concluded her sophomore season at Notre Dame, appearing in only five games due to a lower leg injury. In those games, she averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds, along with nine steals and three blocks.
• Syla Swords, Michigan: The 2024 McDonald’s All-American has yet to play in college but made history as Michigan’s highest-ranked recruit at the time of signing her National Letter of Intent. In her senior year of high school, she averaged 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 steals.

France

• Gabby Williams, UConn: Williams earned a spot on the AAC All-Freshman Team in 2015, kickstarting a remarkable career at UConn, where the team went 148–3 during her four years. In 2017, she was named both the ACC and WBCA Defensive Player of the Year and won the Cheryl Miller Award the following year. She clinched NCAA championships in 2015 and 2016 before being selected fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in 2018.

Germany

• Emily Bessoir, UCLA: Due to an ACL injury, Bessoir played only one game during the 2023-24 season. After graduating in June, she opted not to return to focus on qualifying for the German Olympic team. In her previous season, she played all 37 games for the Bruins, starting 35 and averaging 9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds.
• Marie Gülich, Oregon State: A 6-foot-5 center, Gülich was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection and averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds during her senior year, shooting an impressive 65.2% from the floor, the second-best percentage in Pac-12 history. She was drafted 12th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2018.
• Nayara Sabally, Oregon: Sabally received All-Pac-12 honors in both 2021 and 2022 before being selected fifth overall by the New York Liberty in the 2022 WNBA Draft. In her final college season, she led the Ducks in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
• Satou Sabally, Oregon: The older sister of Nayara, Satou was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2018 and earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2019 and 2020. She was selected second overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2020 WNBA Draft after averaging 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals her senior season.
• Lina Sontag, UCLA: Though Sontag only played for UCLA between 2022 and 2024, she significantly contributed to the team’s back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. She was a standout defender, recording 37 blocks in her first season, which ranks third all-time for a UCLA freshman.

Nigeria

• Adebola Adeyeye, Buffalo/Kentucky: Adeyeye spent four years at Buffalo, averaging 4.8 points and 5.1 rebounds. She then transferred to Kentucky as a graduate student, where she averaged 4.6 points and five rebounds per game while playing in 31 games, including 12 as a starter.
• Promise Amukamara, Arizona State: Amukamara made the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in both 2014 and 2015 while playing for the Sun Devils from 2011 to 2015. Over her collegiate career, she appeared in 131 games, averaging 7.6 points, three rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Prior to basketball, she was a notable track and field athlete.
• Elizabeth Balogun, Georgia Tech/Louisville/Duke: Balogun began her collegiate career at Georgia Tech, where she was named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2019. She then transferred to Louisville, contributing to back-to-back ACC regular-season titles, before moving to Duke in 2021. In her 2022-23 season at Duke, she led the team with 5.2 rebounds per game while averaging 10.2 points.
• Lauren Ebo, Texas/Notre Dame: Ebo completed her undergraduate studies at Texas before spending the 2022-23 season as a graduate student with Notre Dame. In her final season, she averaged nine points, seven rebounds, and one assist per game, shooting 50.3% from the field.
• Amy Okonkwo, USC/TCU: Okonkwo began her career at USC before transferring to TCU, where she was named the 2018 Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year. Her senior year, she continued to excel, averaging 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.
• Tomi Taiwo, Iowa/TCU: Taiwo played four years at Iowa before finishing her career as a graduate student at TCU. She started 30 games for the Horned Frogs, leading the team with an average of 14.2 points per game and making eight 3-pointers. She scored a career-high 33 points in a 78-70 loss to Texas Tech on January 7, 2023.

Puerto Rico

• Jackie Benitez, Siena/James Madison: Benitez was named the 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year before transferring to James Madison. During her redshirt junior year there, she earned the CAA Sixth Player of the Year award and averaged 13.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and a team-high 1.6 steals as a redshirt senior.
• Ali Gibson, Oregon State: The 5-foot-11 guard started all 32 games for Oregon State during her senior year, averaging 8.7 points and 2.9 rebounds, finishing her career second in program history with a total of 178 three-pointers.
• Arella Guirantes, Texas Tech/Rutgers: As a freshman at Texas Tech, Guirantes started 27 games, averaging 9.9 points per game, which was second on the team. She later transferred to Rutgers, where she excelled as a senior, averaging 20.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
• Mya Hollingshed, Colorado: Hollingshed scored over 1,000 points as a senior while reaching double digits in 20 of 23 games. She returned for a fifth year, averaging 14.1 points per game and leading the Buffs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.
• Brianna Jones, Louisville/Georgetown: After spending two years at Louisville, Jones transferred to Georgetown in 2017. In her senior season with the Hoyas, she played in all 35 games, starting 14, and scored in double digits 14 times, including a season-high 24 points against Providence on February 28, 2020.
• Tayra Meléndez, Rhode Island: Meléndez concluded her career at Rhode Island with 1,023 points, becoming only the 20th player in the program’s history to achieve this milestone. She also ranks second all-time with 154 blocks.
• India Pagan, Stony Brook: Pagan was part of the team that made Stony Brook’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021. She finished her career at Stony Brook with the second-highest career field goal percentage in school history at 52.6% (598-1136).
• Mariah Perez, Dayton: The 6-foot-3 forward played five seasons at Dayton, appearing in 131 games, which ranks third in program history. Her best performance came during her senior year when she led the team with 9.4 rebounds per game, along with averaging 11.9 points and achieving 12 double-doubles.
• Isalys Quinones, Dartmouth: Quinones started all 27 games in her senior year, leading her team with 14.0 points per game and 18 blocks. She scored in double figures 20 times that season and received the 2019 Gail Koziara ’82 Most Valuable Player Award.
• Sofia Roma, Duke/Wagner: Roma began her collegiate career at Wagner, where she established herself as a strong rebounder. She later transferred to Duke but missed much of the 2017-18 season due to a knee injury. In her senior year, she played in 24 games.
• Trinity San Antonio, California Baptist/Grand Canyon: San Antonio played her freshman and sophomore years at California Baptist before moving to Grand Canyon. She made the 2023-24 All-WAC Defensive Team and will be entering her senior season. As a junior, she led the Antelopes with an average of 11.5 points per game, also contributing with 4.0 rebounds.

Serbia

• Yvonne Anderson, Texas: Anderson played for the Longhorns from 2008 to 2012. In her senior year, she started all 31 games, averaging 11.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. She posted a season-high of 25 points against Texas A&M on March 4, 2012.
• Angela Dugalic, Oregon/UCLA: Dugalic started her collegiate journey at Oregon but transferred to UCLA in 2021. After missing the 2022-23 season due to injury, she returned to play in 30 games during her senior year, helping the Bruins reach their second consecutive Sweet 16. She set a career-high with 17 points against Oregon on January 5, 2024, and plans to return for a fifth year this fall.
• Ivana Raca, Wake Forest: Raca started all 24 games during her senior season in 2020-21. She concluded her time at Wake Forest ranking ninth in program history with 1,469 career points and tenth in rebounds with 705.

Spain

• Maite Cazorla, Oregon: Cazorla earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman team in 2015 and was recognized on the All-Pac-12 team during her junior and senior years. She played a key role in helping Oregon reach its first-ever Final Four in 2019, and a few months later, she was selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Draft.
• María Conde, Florida State: Conde played two seasons with the Seminoles before returning to Europe. During her sophomore year, she averaged 15.6 minutes off the bench in all 35 games, achieving a season-high of 10 points against Clemson on January 15, 2017.
• Megan Gustafson, Iowa: Gustafson is widely regarded as one of Iowa’s top players, earning numerous accolades during the 2018-19 season, including Big Ten Athlete of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Naismith Trophy, and the Lisa Leslie Award. She averaged an impressive 27.8 points and 13.4 rebounds per game during her senior season.
• Leonor Rodríguez, Florida State: Rodríguez joined FSU in 2009 and played four seasons with the Seminoles. Although she only played 25 games combined in her first two years, her role expanded significantly later on. In her senior season, she averaged 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 steals.
• Leticia Romero, Florida State/Kansas State: After transferring from Kansas State, Romero became FSU’s first three-time All-American (2015, 2016, 2017). She also became one of only three players in program history to achieve a triple-double, accomplishing this feat on February 22, 2015, against Boston College with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

United States

• Napheesa Collier, UConn: Collier reached the Final Four during all four years at UConn and won an NCAA championship in 2016. She finished her career as UConn’s third-leading scorer with 2,401 points and fourth in rebounds with 1,219, becoming only the fifth Husky to achieve 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
• Kahleah Copper, Rutgers: Copper ranks fourth on Rutgers’ all-time scoring list with 1,872 career points from 2012 to 2016. She also stands third in free throws made with 407. In her senior season, she averaged 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, recording 11 double-doubles.
• Chelsea Gray, Duke: Despite battling knee injuries throughout her college career, Gray made a significant impact and was selected 11th overall by the Connecticut Sun in 2014. As one of the top point guards in Duke history, she led the Blue Devils to two ACC Tournament Championships, three regular-season titles, and three trips to the Elite Eight.
• Brittney Griner, Baylor: Griner completed her collegiate career with 3,283 points and 1,305 rebounds. She received numerous honors, including the Naismith College Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2013, while also helping the Bears win the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Baylor retired her No. 42 jersey on February 18, 2024.
• Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon: Ionescu holds the NCAA record for the most career triple-doubles in both women’s and men’s basketball, with 26. During her time at Oregon, she became the first player in NCAA history to amass 2,000 career points (2,562), 1,000 rebounds (1,040), and 1,000 assists (1,091). She was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2020.
• Jewell Loyd, Notre Dame: Loyd was the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2013 and was named ACC Player of the Year in 2015, marking a first for the Fighting Irish. She is among the leading scorers in program history with 1,909 career points, tying the Notre Dame record for single-game scoring with 41 points against DePaul on December 10, 2014.
• Kelsey Plum, Washington: Plum amassed 3,527 points during her tenure at Washington, the second-most in Division I women’s basketball history. In 2017, she received multiple accolades, including the Dawn Staley Award, the John R. Wooden Award, and the Naismith College Player of the Year award.
• Breanna Stewart, UConn: Stewart was part of an incredibly successful run at UConn, winning four national championships and being named Most Outstanding Player in each tournament. Throughout her college career, she posted a remarkable 151-5 record and received numerous Player of the Year awards from 2014 to 2016, including three Naismith awards. Her 2,676 career points rank second in program history.
• Diana Taurasi, UConn: Taurasi was a three-time national champion with UConn, contributing to a 139-8 record during her college years from 2000 to 2004. She ranks third in UConn history with 318 career 3-pointers made and is ninth in scoring with 2,156 points.
• Alyssa Thomas, Maryland: Thomas is Maryland’s all-time leading scorer with 2,356 points, recorded from 2011 to 2014. She also holds the records for rebounds (1,235) and double-doubles (66). Named ACC Player of the Year three times, her impact led to her jersey being retired by the school on Senior Day, even before her college career concluded.
• A’Ja Wilson, South Carolina: Wilson earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the 2017 NCAA Tournament when the Gamecocks won. The following year, she swept several major Player of the Year awards, including the AP, Naismith, and Lisa Leslie Awards. She remains the program’s all-time scoring leader with 2,389 points and was honored with a statue outside Colonial Life Arena in 2021.
• Jackie Young, Notre Dame: Young was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2017, and the following year, she contributed to the team that clinched the 2018 national championship. In her senior season, she averaged 14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, helping her team reach the title game for the second consecutive year.