After the postponement of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the 2021 Olympics have arrived, and the Women's basketball competition is shaping up to be an exciting one, which will finally get underway on Monday July 26th.
Check down below to see who will suit up for the 12 competing teams, including key players for each team, current FIBA ranking and previous Olympic bests.
USA
2021 FIBA rank: #1
Previous Olympic best: Gold (eight times)
Team USA is going for its seventh gold medal in a row highlighting their dominance at the Olympic Games. All 12 players in the squad play in the WNBA and they'll be the favourites to win it all.
Roster:
- Ariel Atkins
- Sue Bird
- Tina Charles
- Napheesa Collier
- Skylar Diggins-Smith
- Sylvia Fowles
- Chelsea Gray
- Brittney Griner
- Jewell Loyd
- Breanna Stewart
- Diana Taurasi
- A'ja Wilson
Key player to watch: Breanna Stewart is the reigning WNBA Finals MVP and Champion and is one of the best players in the world, look for her to have a dominant tournament.
AUSTRALIA
2021 FIBA rank: #2
Previous Olympic best: Silver (three times)
Australia enter a strong squad with five WNBA players, and with a silver medal in the 2018 FIBA World Cup and Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Boomers will look to go one better in Tokyo.
Roster:
- Rebecca Allen
- Sara Blicavs
- Katie Ebzery
- Cayla George
- Tess Lavey
- Ezi Magbegor
- Tess Magden
- Leilani Mitchell
- Jenna O'Hea
- Alanna Smith
- Stephanie Talbot
- Marianna Tolo
Key player to watch: Ezi Magbegor is an exciting young talent, being apart of the Seattle Storm 2020 WNBA Championship, and will need to step up to fill the absence of Liz Cambage. The 21-year old will need to play well if the Opals have a chance at winning it all.
SPAIN
2021 FIBA rank: #3
Previous Olympic best: Silver (2016)
After its best result at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a silver medal, and a bronze medal at the 2018 FIBA Women's World Cup, Spain boast a strong lineup that will look to contend for a medal again.
Roster:
- Tamara Abalde
- Raquel Carrera
- Queralt Casas
- Maite Cazorla
- Maria Conde
- Silvia Dominguez
- Laura Gil
- Astou Ndour
- Laia Palau
- Cristina Ouvina
- Leo Rodriguez
- Alba Torrens
Key player to watch: Astou Ndour will be hard to stop. The 196cm centre (who plays in the WNBA for the Chicago Sky) has been dominant in previous European competitions, and will look to lead the Spaniard to another medal finish this Olympics.
CANADAย
2021 FIBA rank: #4
Previous Olympic best: 4th (1984)
The Canadians come into the Olympic tournament in good form as they won the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Ostend, and will look to contend for a medal for the first time in their history.
Roster:
- Natalie Achonwa
- Kayla Alexander
- Laeticia Amihere
- Miranda Ayim
- Bridget Carleton
- Shay Colley
- Aaliyah Edwards
- Nirra Fields
- Kim Gaucher
- Kia Nurse
- Shaina Pellington
- Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe
Key player to watch: Kia Nurse is a talented player for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, being a WNBA All-Star in 2019, and will look to lead from the front for the Canadians.
FRANCE
2021 FIBA rank: #5
Previous Olympic best: Silver (2012)
This will be the France's fourth Olympic competition, and are usually strong when they qualify, highlighted by a fourth place finish in 2016 and a second place finish in 2012. Look for them to be strong again.
Roster:
- Alexia Chartereau
- Helena Ciak
- Alix Duchet
- Marine Fauthoux
- Sandrine Gruda
- Marine Johannes
- Sarah Michel
- Endy Miyem
- Iliana Rupert
- Diandra Tchatchouang
- Valeriane Vukusavljevic
- Gabby Williams
Key player to watch: Marine Johannes is a talented guard for the New York Liberty in the WNBA, and will look to lead the French to glory in Tokyo, keep an eye out for her.
BELGIUM
2021 FIBA rank: #6
Previous Olympic best: n/a
Belgium have qualified for their first Olympics in its history and are a dark horse to win it all after coming fourth in the 2018 FIBA Women's World Cup, and two bronze medals in EuroBasket in 2017 and 2021.
Roster:
- Julie Allemand
- Marjorie Carpreaux
- Antonia Delaere
- Kyara Linskens
- Billie Massey
- Emma Meesseman
- Hanne Mestdagh
- Kim Mestdagh
- Heleen Nauwelaers
- Jana Raman
- Julie Vanloo
- Ann Wauters
Key player to watch: Emma Meeseman is an accomplished player, winning the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP, and is a talented power forward who will be hard to stop as Belgium begin their first ever Olympic campaign.
SERBIA
2021 FIBA rank: #8
Previous Olympic best: Bronze (2016)
The Serbians are always strong in national competitions, winning bronze at the last Olympics and winners of the 2021 EuroBasket in June. Don't be fooled by their low FIBA ranking, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.
Roster:
- Sonya Vasic
- Sasa Cadjo
- Nevena Jovanovic
- Jelena Milovanovic-Brooks
- Dajana Butulija
- Aleksandra Crvendakic
- Yvonne Anderson
- Ana Dabovic
- Maja Skoric
- Masa Jankovic
- Angela Dugalic
- Tina Krajisnik-Jovanovic
Key player to watch: Ana Dabovic is an experienced shooting guard with WNBA and Euroleague experience, and may prove to be a handful for the opposition.
CHINA
2021 FIBA rank: #9
Previous Olympic best: Silver (1992)
China will be making their ninth appearance in the Olympics but will need to find some form given their previous Olympic performances.
Roster:
- Xu Han
- Sijing Huang
- Meng Li
- Yueru Li
- Yuan Lu
- Zhenqi Pan
- Ting Shao
- Mengran Sun
- Siyu Wang
- Tongtong Wu
- Liwei Yang
- Ru Zhang
JAPAN [host]
2021 FIBA rank: #10
Previous Olympic best: 5th (1976)
The host nation will have their fans behind their back as they look to have a strong campaign. Four time reigning Asia Cup champions and will look to keep that form on the world stage.
Roster:
- Himawari Akaho
- Saki Hayashi
- Rui Machida
- Evelyn Mawuli
- Saori Miyazaki
- Yuki Miyazawa
- Naho Miyoshi
- Nako Motohashi
- Moeko Nagaoka
- Monica Okoye
- Maki Takada
- Nanaka Todo
Key player to watch: With no WNBA players, the team is a mix of youth and experience and will look to make a name for themselves in front of home fans.
NIGERIA
2021 FIBA rank: #17
Previous Olympic best: Group Stage (2004)
Nigeria will make their second Olympic appearance in the women's competition since 2004 after finishing third at the 2020 Women's Olympic Tournament in Belgrade.
Roster:
- Elizabeth Balogun
- Sarah Ogoke
- Aisha Mohammed
- Promise Amukamara
- Adaora Elonu
- Elo Edeferioka
- Evelyn Akhator
- Atonye Nyingifa
- Ezinne Kalu
- Sarah Imovbioh
- Victoria Macaulay
- Ify Ibekwe
Key player to watch: Victoria Macaulay is a veteran with NBA experience and currently playing for Galatasaray, she will look to be a force inside to help the Nigerians compete against the top sides.
SOUTH KOREA
2021 FIBA rank: #19
Previous Olympic best: Silver
South Korea will make its seventh appearance at the Olympics, its first since 2008, and qualified by finishing third at the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Belgrade.
Roster:
- Hyojin Ahn
- Hyeyoon Bae
- Leeseul Kang
- Danbi Kim
- Han Byul Kim
- Jung Eun Kim
- Minjeong Kim
- Hyejin Park
- Jihyun Park
- Ji Su Park
- Jihyun Shin
- Yebin Yoon
Key player to watch: No WNBA experience, will be hard to see them making it out of the group stages due to the talent that all the other teams have.
PUERTO RICO
2021 FIBA rank: #23
Previous Olympic best: n/a
This is Puerto Rico's first Olympic appearance, after their first appearance at the 2018 FIBA Women's World Cup. The world is their oyster as they are an unknown to many other nations. Look for them to upset a team or two in the group stages.
Roster:
- Jacqueline Benitez
- Allison Gibson
- Michelle Gonzalez
- Jazmon Gwathmey
- Isalys Quinones
- Sabrina Lozada
- Tayra Melendez
- Jennifer O'Neill
- India Pagan
- Pamela Rosado
- Dayshalee Salaman
- Jada Stinson
Key player to watch: Allison Gibson is a talented shooting guard who has earned All-star honours at the 2017 FIBA Women's AmeriCup and will look to replicate that at these Olympics.
