Traveling over to Paris for a shot at a third Olympic gold together, the star-studded Phoenix Mercury duo of Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi went over and completed their mission, adding another medal to their illustrious list of other accolades.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Taurasi won a record sixth gold medal of her career while Griner was a champion in the last three: Paris, the 2020 Tokyo and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. As a collective, Team USA has been an Olympic dynasty as they have finished as gold medalists in eight straight women’s basketball tournaments.
Even though she didn’t start for the United States like she normally does for the Mercury, Griner went back overseas for her first Olympics since her detainment in Russia and had to adapt to coming off the bench.
No matter what the role or situation she was put in during her time in France, she was proud to play whenever she could and contributed to yet another successful Olympics.
“Being able to be on that podium for a third time means everything,” Griner said at a media availability on Wednesday. “All of the hard work we put it in. To get the gold in the end, that was the icing on the cake for the trip.”
Like Griner, Taurasi saw her role change but during the tournament.
DT originally started for the Americans during the group stages before head coach Cheryl Reeve went to Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young for the backend of the tournament. In the championship game, Taurasi did not play a second against France, but sat on the bench and helped her teammates any way she could have in the nail-biting, 67-66 win on Sunday.
Aug 4, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; United States shooting guard Diana Taurasi (12) celebrates with forward guard Jackie Young (13) and forward Kahleah Copper (7) and center Brittney Griner (15) after defeating Germany in a women’s group C game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Having an array of medals in her collection since joining Team USA in 2004, Taurasi has been grateful for each one since they all have their own story.
“Every gold medal – BG has been there a few times – each hold a different significance,” Taurasi said. “Each one you are at a different point of your career individually. Collectively as a team, you evolve into a different role. They all have a different, special meaning to each one.”
While both Griner and Taurasi are reconvening with their Mercury teammates for the remaining portion of the WNBA season, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is not too far away in the future and the Americans will look to make it nine straight golds.
It will be interesting to see how the roster shapes up four years from now since Taurasi announced her intent to retire from USA Basketball before the start of the Paris Games. She would be 46 years old once the next Summer Olympics arrives.
Calling it a career on the international stage, DT is solely focused on the Mercury this season but already has plans on where she will be when the time comes for 2028.
“In LA, I’ll be in my Manhattan beach house chilling out,” Taurasi said.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
