Basketball

Reports: The College Careers Of The USA Women’s Basketball Team At The 2024 Olympics, Including Awards And Stats

Nero Scofield

The collegiate achievements of the women’s basketball team representing the USA at the 2024 Olympics, encompassing honors and statistics.

This summer in Paris, twelve former college basketball standouts are aiming to secure an eighth consecutive gold medal for the United States in women’s basketball at the Olympics.

Here’s a concise overview of all 12 players, featuring significant statistics and accomplishments from their college basketball careers. All WNBA stats are current as of June 11, 2024.

Team USA Roster:

#11 | Napheesa Collier | UConn #7 | Kahleah Copper | Rutgers #8 | Chelsea Gray | Duke #15 | Brittney Griner | Baylor #6 | Sabrina Ionescu | Oregon #4 | Jewell Loyd | Notre Dame #5 | Kelsey Plum | Washington #10 | Breanna Stewart | UConn #12 | Diana Taurasi | UConn #14 | Alyssa Thomas | Maryland #9 | A’Ja Wilson | South Carolina #13 | Jackie Young | Notre Dame

Napheesa Collier

Collier completed her tenure at UConn as one of just five Huskies players to join the 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds club, securing the NCAA title in 2016. She was selected as the No. 6 overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2019 WNBA draft and clinched a gold medal with Team USA in 2020.

Player Profile:

School: UConn Years: 2015-19 Career Averages: 16.1 ppg, 2.5 apg, 8.1 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.7 bpg Current WNBA Team: Minnesota Lynx WNBA Career Averages: 17.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 7.8 rpg, 1.7 spg, 1.2 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Two-time WBCA First Team All-American (2017, ’19)
  • Two-time AP First Team All-American (2017, ’19)
  • Two-time USBWA First Team All-American (2017, ’19)
  • Two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Year (2017, ’19)
  • Three-time American Athletic Conference First Team (2017, ’18, ’19)
  • 2019 Katrina McClain Award winner
  • 2019 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2019 NCAA Albany Regional Most Outstanding Player
  • 2019 American Athletic Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player
  • 2018 AP Third Team All-American
  • 2018 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team
  • 2017 NCAA Bridgeport Regional Most Outstanding Performer
  • 2016 American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team

Kahleah Copper

Copper concluded her collegiate career ranking third in all-time points scored in Rutgers’ program history with a total of 1,872 points. Following her selection as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft by the Washington Mystics, she was subsequently traded to the Chicago Sky. There, she achieved the title of 2021 WNBA Finals MVP as the team secured its first championship in franchise history.

Player Profile:

School: Rutgers Years: 2012-16 Career Averages: 14.1 ppg, 1.3 apg, 5.8 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.3 bpg Current WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury WNBA Career Averages: 11.8 ppg, 1.3 apg, 3.6 rpg, 0.6 spg, 0.2 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Second Team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media (2016)
  • Big Ten All-Academic honoree (2016)
  • Second Team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media (2015)
  • Second Team All-Met (2015)
  • Big Ten All-Academic honoree (2015)
  • WNIT’s Most Valuable Player (2014)
  • First Team All-American Athletic Conference (2014)
  • First Team All-Met (2014)
  • Big East All-Freshman Team (2013)

Chelsea Gray

Gray departed Duke as arguably the most outstanding player in the school’s history, despite her final two seasons being affected by injuries while playing for the Blue Devils. Her exceptional ability to create plays resulted in her being chosen as the 11th pick in the 2014 WNBA draft. Throughout her extensive professional career, she has already achieved a 2020 Olympic gold, secured three WNBA championships, and attained the title of 2022 WNBA Finals MVP.

Player Profile:

School: Duke Years: 2010-14 Career Averages: 11.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.4 rpg, 2.7 spg, 0.2 bpg Current WNBA Team: Las Vegas Aces WNBA Career Averages: 12.4 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.2 bpg

College Achievements:

  • WBCA Coaches All-America (2013)
  • Associated Press Second Team All-America (2013)
  • Co-ACC Player of the Year by the head coaches (2013)
  • John R. Wooden finalist (2013)
  • All-ACC First Team selection (2013)
  • All-ACC Defensive Team (2013)
  • Finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award (2012)
  • USBWA finalist for National Player of the Year (2012)
  • Set a school-record with 201 assists (2012)
  • All-ACC Freshman Team honoree (2011)

Brittney Griner

Griner had an incredibly dominant college career during her four seasons at Baylor. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she also clinched a national title with Baylor and secured a WNBA championship with the Phoenix Mercury.

Player Profile:

School: Baylor Years: 2009-13 Career Averages: 22.2 ppg, 1.6 apg, 8.8 rpg, 0.5 spg, 5.1 bpg Current WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury WNBA Career Averages: 17.7 ppg, 1.9 apg, 7.4 rpg, 0.5 spg, 2.7 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Concluded college career with an NCAA record (men or women) of 748 career blocks
  • Ranked second on NCAA Division I women’s all-time scoring list with 3,283 points
  • Second on NCAA Division I women’s all-time most games scoring in double figures chart with 146 performances
  • Big 12’s all-time leading scorer
  • Achieved an NCAA women’s record of 18 dunks, including three in one game against Florida State on 3/26/13
  • Big 12 Player of the Year (2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Recipient of the Wade Trophy (2012, 2013), Naismith Trophy (2012, 2013), and Wooden Award (2012, 2013)
  • Named AP Player of the Year (2012, 2013) and Ann Meyers Drysdale (USBWA) Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
  • Earned unanimous AP All-American honors (2012, 2013) and Consensus First-Team All-American recognitions (2011, 2012, 2013)
  • WBCA Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Big 12 championship Most Outstanding Player (2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Received numerous other awards and recognitions spanning her exceptional college career

Sabrina Ionescu

The NCAA’s record-holder for triple-doubles is set to make her Olympic debut for Team USA this summer. Ionescu’s exceptional four-year tenure at Oregon paved the way for her to be chosen as the No. 1 pick in the 2020 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty.

Player Profile:

School: Oregon Years: 2016-20 Career Averages: 18.0 ppg, 7.7 apg, 7.3 rpg, 1.5 spg, 0.3 bpg Current WNBA Team: New York Liberty WNBA Career Averages: 15.9 ppg, 5.8 apg, 5.9 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.3 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Co-recipient of the AAU James E. Sullivan Award as the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete (2020)
  • Winner of the Wooden Award (2019, 2020)
  • Named AP First-Team All-America (2019, 2020)
  • Achieved Pac-12 Player of the Year status (2018, 2019, 2020)
  • Received the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s top point guard (2018-20)
  • Received numerous other awards and shattered records throughout her remarkable college career

Jewell Loyd

Add Lloyd to the roster of players already holding an Olympic gold medal. Before securing gold with Team USA in 2020, Lloyd was selected as the top pick in the WNBA draft in 2015 from Notre Dame. During her four-year tenure with the Irish, she earned two first-team All-American nods, establishing herself as one of college basketball’s most dynamic scorers.

Player Profile:

School: Notre Dame Years: 2012-15 Career Averages: 17.0 ppg, 2.4 apg, 5.7 rpg, 1.4 spg, 0.4 bpg Current WNBA Team: Seattle Storm WNBA Career Averages: 16.7 ppg, 3.2 apg, 3.6 rpg, 1.2 spg, 0.2 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Named espnW National Player of the Year (2015)
  • Runner-up for the John R. Wooden Award (2015)
  • Unanimous selection for AP All-America First Team (2015)
  • ACC Player of the Year (2015)
  • Recognized as ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player (2014, 2015)
  • Included in the All-ACC Defensive Team (2015)
  • Part of NCAA Women’s Final Four All-Tournament Team (2014, 2015)

Plum’s remarkable performance on her senior night shattered the NCAA scoring record, topping off an outstanding four-year tenure at Washington. When she completed her college career, Plum’s 3,527 points set a new NCAA milestone. Additionally, she established the single-season scoring record with 1,109 points in 2016-17.

Player Profile:

School: Washington Years: 2013-17 Career Averages: 25.4 ppg, 3.8 apg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 spg, 0.2 bpg Current WNBA Team: Las Vegas Aces WNBA Career Averages: 13.9 ppg, 4.0 apg, 2.4 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.1 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Ranked as the No. 2 all-time NCAA scoring leader with 3,527 points
  • Broke the single-season NCAA scoring record with 1,109 points in 2016-17
  • Surpassed a 33-year-old NCAA career free throw record (912)
  • Named AP Player of the Year (2017)
  • Recognized as espnW Player of the Year (2017)
  • Awarded Pac-12 Player of the Year (2017)
  • Selected as WBCA and USWBA All-American (2016, 2017)
  • Unanimous first team All-American by AP (2017)
  • Unanimous first team All-American by espnW (2017)
  • Unanimously selected for the All-Pac-12 team
  • Winner of the Dawn Staley, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Nancy Lieberman awards, Naismith and Wade Trophy (2017)
  • Recipient of the Tom Hansen Conference Medal (2017)
  • Honorable mention for Pac-12 All-Academic (2015, 2016, 2017)
  • Named Seattle Female Sports Star of the Year (2017)
  • Included in the Wooden Award All-American list (2016)
  • Recognized as AP Third Team All-American and a Naismith Award Semifinalist (2016)
  • Part of the Pac-12 All-Tournament Team (2016)
  • Second Team All-America selection (2016)
  • Two-time WBCA All-Region Team member (2015, 2016)
  • Four-time All-Pac-12 Team selection (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
  • Washington’s all-time three-point leader, second all-time in Pac-12
  • Pac-12 all-time single-season scoring leader
  • Holder of Pac-12 records for free throws made (season and career)
  • Set the Pac-12 single-game scoring record of 57 points against Utah
  • Named 2014 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

Breanna Stewart

Stewart from UConn can be seen as one of the most accomplished players in the history of college basketball. She achieved the feat of winning the national championship four times at UConn and was named the most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament in all four seasons of her college career. Moreover, Stewart also secured two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

Player Profile:

School: Connecticut Years: 2012-16 Career Averages: 17.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 7.8 rpg, 1.5 spg, 2.7 bpg Current WNBA Team: New York Liberty WNBA Career Averages: 20.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 8.8 rpg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Associated Press Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
  • Naismith Trophy Winner (2014, 2015, 2016)
  • Wade Trophy Winner (2015, 2016)
  • John R. Wooden Award Winner (2015, 2016)
  • USBWA Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
  • Consensus First Team All-American (2014, 2015, 2016)
  • American Athletic Conference Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
  • Final Four Most Outstanding Performer (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • American Athletic Conference Championship MOP (2014, 2016)
  • Sullivan Award Winner (2016)
  • The only player in history to be honored as the Final Four Most Outstanding Player more than twice
  • Ranked second on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 2,676 career points
  • The only player in NCAA history to achieve at least 400 blocks and 400 assists
  • UConn’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 414

An icon in the world of basketball, Taurasi is set to pursue her sixth gold medal with Team USA. Before making her mark in professional basketball with the Phoenix Mercury, she enjoyed a storied career at UConn, clinching three national championships under the coaching of Geno Auriemma.

Player Profile:

School: Connecticut Years: 2000-04 Career Averages: 15.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.0 bpg Current WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury WNBA Career Averages: 19.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.9 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.6 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Naismith National Player of the Year (2003, 2004)
  • NCAA National Champion (2002-2004)
  • NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2003, 2004)
  • Wade Trophy (2003)
  • Honda Sports Award Winner (2003, 2004)
  • USBWA Women’s National Player of the Year (2003)
  • AP College Player of the Year (2003)
  • Nancy Lieberman Award Winner (2003, 2004)
  • Big East Player of the Year (2003, 2004)

Alyssa Thomas

After leading Maryland to the Final Four in her senior year, Alyssa Thomas was selected as the 4th overall pick in the 2014 draft. Following a draft-day trade to the Connecticut Sun, Thomas has remained with the team throughout her entire WNBA career.

Player Profile:

School: Maryland Years: 2010-14 Career Averages: 17.5 ppg, 3.6 apg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 spg, 0.4 bpg Current WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun WNBA Career Averages: 12.4 ppg, 4.3 apg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 0.3 bpg

College Achievements:

  • WBCA Coaches’ All-American (2012)
  • USBWA All-American (2012)
  • AP All-America First Team (2012)
  • ACC Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
  • ACC Tournament MVP (2012)
  • All-ACC Tournament Team (2012, 2013)
  • All-ACC Team (Second Team, 2011; First Team, 2012, 2013)
  • Wooden Ballot (2012, 2013)
  • Naismith Preseason list (2012, 2013)
  • Wade Watch list (2012, 2013)
  • Preseason All-ACC Team (2011)
  • ACC All-Freshman Team (2010)
  • ACC Rookie of the Week (7X)
  • ACC Player of the Week (7X)
  • ESPNW National Player of the Week (1/14/13)
  • ECAC Rookie of the Year (2011)
  • FullCourtPress.com All-American (2012)
  • FullCourtPress.com All-Freshman Second Team (2011)
  • All-time Maryland Terrapins leader in points (2356), rebounds (1,235), and double-doubles (66)

A’Ja Wilson boasts an impressive basketball career, including a gold medal, two WNBA championships, and an NCAA championship. During her time at South Carolina, Wilson achieved the remarkable feat of being a three-time consensus first-team All-American and was named the NCAA tournament MOP in 2017.

Player Profile:

School: South Carolina Years: 2014-18 Career Averages: 17.3 ppg, 1.4 apg, 8.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 2.6 bpg Current WNBA Team: Las Vegas Aces WNBA Career Averages: 20.3 ppg, 2.2 apg, 8.8 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.9 bpg

College Achievements:

  • Consensus National Player of the Year (2018)
  • Wooden Award Winner (2018)
  • Naismith Trophy Winner (2018)
  • Wade Trophy Winner (2018)
  • Honda Sport Award – Basketball (2018)
  • All-America First Team (2017, 2018)
  • SEC Player of the Year first three-time selection in league history (2016, 2017, 2018)
  • SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2018)
  • All-SEC First Team (2016, 2017, 2018)
  • SEC Tournament MVP (2017, 2018)
  • NCAA Final Four MOP (2017)

Jackie Young

Young led Notre Dame’s 2018 national championship team as a sophomore guard. Following her junior season at Notre Dame, she was chosen as the top overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

Player Profile:

School: Notre Dame Years: 2016-19 Career Averages: 12.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg Current WNBA Team: Las Vegas Aces WNBA Career Averages: 13.2 ppg, 3.9 apg, 4.0 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.2 bpg

College Achievements:

  • NCAA champion (2018)
  • ACC tournament MVP (2019)
  • Second-team All-ACC (2019)
  • All-ACC Freshman team (2017)

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