Before they head to Paris, the USA Women’s Basketball Olympic Team will test their game in London in an exhibition match against Germany. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23rd at 3 PM ET.
With five days remaining until the beginning of the Women’s Basketball Olympic Tournament, and six until the first USA game, the time has come for some final “tests.” After losing to the WNBA All-Star team, the selected players are eager to prove they were the right choices for the national jersey. They certainly do not want to lose the seven-gold-medal streak that has lasted since 1996.
Our Betting Pick – Germany to Cover the Spread
The USA is a strong favorite, not just in this game but also to win the entire tournament, with odds around -1500 in their favor. Germany, on the other hand, is currently ranked as the 9th favorite to win. What works in their favor is their better coordination, having played seven games during their summer preparations and winning each time.
However, if you are considering betting, money lines are certainly not an option, with odds for the USA at about -5000. Where you might consider placing a bet is on the spread. The line is set at 21.5, and we believe Germany could easily cover the spread, especially given their focus on defense.
Caitlin Clark and Arike Ogunbowale Saga
The only friendly match the US Olympic team had was against the WNBA All-Star team, which they lost. This marked a monumental occasion for women’s basketball, reinforcing the competitive strength of the WNBA.
Even though Caitlin Clark didn’t shoot well, she demonstrated exceptional playmaking ability. Also grabbing headlines was Arike Ogunbowale, who didn’t score in the first half but racked up 32 points in the second half. She was unstoppable.
For months, basketball fans have been talking about them being left out of the national team. Specifically, Clark wasn’t selected, while Ogunbowale withdrew herself.
“It’s really about who they feel fits with the team. So, I actually took my name out of the pool months ago. That’s not to say I didn’t think maybe last year I would be on the team, and I was good enough to make the team. But when the list came out, I knew I would not be that one,” Ogunbowale said more than a month ago.
On the other hand, while being a women’s basketball phenomenon, Clark is still a WNBA rookie. Speculations suggest that her lack of international experience led to her not being picked for the Olympic team. Only four women basketball players have received invitations to the national team while being WNBA rookies, and all of them had international experience. It appears Clark’s gold medal in the U19 World Cup didn’t count.
USA Team Roster
So, Who will play for the USA during the friendly game and Olympic Tournament?
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces |
| Alyssa Thomas | Connecticut Sun |
| Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty |
| Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury |
| Chelsea Gray | Las Vegas Aces |
| Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury |
| Jackie Young | Las Vegas Aces |
| Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm |
| Kahleah Copper | Phoenix Mercury |
| Kelsey Plum | Las Vegas Aces |
| Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx |
| Sabrina Ionescu | New York Liberty |
