Paris Olympics 2024: Diana Taurasi Wins Her Record Sixth Olympic Gold Medal As USA Women’s Basketball Beats France
U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said she had conversations with Taurasi about her role on the team and has been impressed with how the WNBA's all-time leading scorer has handled a reduced role after defining USA Basketball for so very long.
Paris, August 12: Diana Taurasi stands alone in Olympic basketball lore. She is the first player to win six gold medals. The 42-year-old American was part of the U.S. women's team that beat France 67-66 on Sunday, Taurasi's sixth gold medal, breaking a tie with longtime American teammate Sue Bird for most in Olympic basketball history. Unlike the previous five Olympics she has been a part of, Taurasi wasn't a major factor on the court in this one as the U.S. won its eighth consecutive gold medal. She didn't play in this title game. LeBron James Becomes First Men’s Basketball Player to Win Gold Medal in Three Different Decades After Team USA Defeats Team France to Clinch Top Spot at Paris Olympics 2024.
Taurasi still provided valuable experience off the court for the Americans, who now have won 61 straight Olympic contests dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games. Breanna Stewart said Taurasi has meant everything to USA Basketball.
"We talk about that gold standard and she is that," Stewart said. "How many wins has she had of the 60? I don't know, off the top of my head. But she continues to kind of come in and show up and be the GOAT that she is and whether it's in different roles like when she first started or to now, she's one of the best to ever play. And I think for all of us, we're just happy to share the court with her and we'll make sure that we go out and get this done for her.”
U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said she had conversations with Taurasi about her role on the team and has been impressed with how the WNBA's all-time leading scorer has handled a reduced role after defining USA Basketball for so very long.
“She's ran the gamut. And, you know, in her final Olympics, the mark that she's making in terms of leadership and just sharing the knowledge that she has. I don't know that there's a greater competitor for USA basketball. I mean, there's been some tremendous ones. There's sort of a Mount Rushmore.” Reeve said. Paris Olympics 2024: US Men's Basketball Program Will Now Catch Its Breath After Clinching Fifth Consecutive Gold Medal at Summer Olympic Games.
Once the latest U.S. Olympic title was secured, Taurasi got in lots of hugs during the celebration, including with Bird who watched this game from the opposite sideline in street clothes. Taurasi stood with hand over her heart during the national anthem as part of the medal ceremony. Then it was time for more photos, including one last one with Taurasi and the latest addition to her golden collection.
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