Facts & Photos: 2000 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were to be held July 24-Aug. 9, 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Summer Games to 2021. USA Basketball is celebrating the original dates of the 2020 Olympics with a look back at past U.S. Olympic men’s and women’s basketball teams through photos and fun facts. Be sure to check in daily for Olympic memories galore!
On this day in USA Basketball Olympic History: Aug. 1
- In 2012, the USA women, led by Angel McCoughtry’s 18 points and a U.S. Olympic women’s single-game record of 10-of-10 from the line, defeated Turkey 89-58; the 1996 men, paced by a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds from Charles Barkley, defeated Australia 101-73 in the semifinal to advance to the gold medal game; Medina Dixon scored 19 points and the team set a U.S. record for field goals attempted (90) in a 93-67 victory over China in 1992; in 1984 the USA men downed Uruguay 104-68 behind Patrick Ewing’s 17 points and nine rebounds.
- Video (YouTube): Gold Medal Game USA Women vs. Australia
- Complete Recap of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team
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The 2000 gold medal win over Australia capped an incredible, 20-year career for Teresa Edwards, who won her fourth Olympic gold medal (1984, 1988, 1996 and 2000) and fifth medal overall (bronze in 1992). |
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This USA’s 76-54 gold medal win over Australia in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney was part of a fierce rivalry between the U.S. and Australian women. The USA had topped Australia in the 1996 semifinals, and then went on to also beat Australia in the 2004 and 2008 gold medal games and the 2012 semifinals.
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Katie Smith launched her Olympic career in 2000 and then also won Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2008
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2000 Olympic gold medalist Natalie Williams, who also helped the USA claim FIBA World Cup titles in 1998 and 2002, was a four-year UCLA letter-winner in both basketball and volleyball, and is the first woman to earn All-America honors in both basketball and volleyball in the same year. She came to USA Basketball after making it to the final cut for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team.
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Prior to the 2000 Olympics, the USA men and women played a double-header in Melbourne against Australia’s national teams, and the U.S. women’s soccer team, which was training in Melbourne, came to watch and support the basketball teams. Overall, the 1999-2000 USA Women’s National Team compiled a 38-2 exhibition record.
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Just one day before the USA’s first game, the results of an MRI on Chamique Holdsclaw’s right foot revealed a stress fracture. With Holdsclaw sidelined, the USA went on to win eight-straight games with 11 available players. |
