Facts & Photos: 2016 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. 7
- The 2016 U.S women, behind 15 points apiece from Sylvia Fowles, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi, scored a U.S. women's single-game record 121 points against Senegal; in 2012 Taurasi's 15 points led the way to a 91-48 quarterfinal win over Canada; In 1992 Teresa Edwards scored 18 points in the USA's 88-74 bronze medal victory over Cuba and Edwards becomes the USA's first athlete, male or female, to medal in three Olympic basketball competitions; Cheryl Miller powered the 1984 team to gold with a 16-point, 11-rebound performance as the U.S. downed South Korea 85-55 in the final; and in 1936 the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was held.
- Video (YouTube): 2016 U.S. Women's Gold Medal Game
- Complete Recap of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team
|
Geno Auriemma became the first U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball head coach to lead more than one Olympic team, guiding the USA to gold in 2012 and 2016. He also was an assistant coach in 2000.
|
|
In capturing a sixth-straight Olympic gold medal, the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team scored more than 100 points a record six times in its eight wins and averaged 102.1 points per game.
|
|
Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi all won their fourth-straight Olympic gold medal.
|
|
In seven of the USA’s eight games Diana Taurasi led or shared as the team’s high-scorer and finished the tournament averaging a team-best 15.6 points per game, while also dishing out 3.3 assists per game and shooting a red-hot 57.9% from beyond the arc.
|
|
Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles became three-time Olympic gold medalists, while Tina Charles, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen earned their second-straight Olympic gold medals. |
|
Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart made their Olympic debuts.
|
|
Even the competition realized how outstanding the 2016 team was – at least two of the USA’s opponents asked to pose for a group photo after the game.
|
