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Team USA fans are breathing a huge sigh of relief after the U.S. women’s basketball team downed France 67-66 in an exceptionally competitive gold medal game. Those fans include not just former President Barack Obama but also current and future WNBA players who were thrilled (and probably more than a little relieved) to see their teammates and friends take home gold.
The former president is known to be a major hoops fan, so it was no surprise that he congratulated the team on their win and their continuing Olympic dynasty.
What a game! Eight Olympic gold medals in a row congrats to the womens @usabasketball team on an incredible win! https://t.co/NgKKaWgOHI
Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 11, 2024
Angel Reese, who plays for the Chicago Sky and was part of the WNBA All-Star team that beat Team USA during All-Star Weekend, loved watching, and pointed out that it doesn’t matter what happened during the game, because the W looks the same no matter what.
what a GAME.
Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) August 11, 2024
A WIN IS A WIN. CONGRATS LADIES!!! @usabasketball
Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) August 11, 2024
UConn star and future WNBA player Paige Bueckers congratulated the team on its win. With her likely to be drafted into the W in 2025, this might be the last time she’ll be able to watch this game or any Olympics coverage from her couch for a very long while.
Golden again @usabasketball
Paige Bueckers (@paigebueckers1) August 11, 2024
Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury got hot late in the game, making baskets when her team needed them most. Copper’s teammate Natasha Cloud couldn’t resist commenting.
In Kahleah we trust.
Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) August 11, 2024
Cloud was thrilled for her gold medal-winning teammates, Copper and Brittney Griner, as well as the entire team.
Naw frfr happy for all my good sis
Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) August 11, 2024
And if you need proof that not even country affiliations can break the bonds of teammates, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi were seen comforting France sharpshooter Gabby Williams after the game was over. Williams, who drained a basket at the buzzer that would have been a game-tying 3-pointer if her foot hadn’t been on the line, went to UConn just like Stewart and Taurasi and played in the WNBA.
Stewie and Tarausi and Sue Bird consoling Gabby Williams (who played at UConn) who is just devastated.
Ann Killion (@annkillion) August 11, 2024
Williams’ gutsy and relentless play earned her more respect from U.S. players and fans, whose numbers have swelled after watching her incredible performance.
This right here. @gabbywilliams15 respect. https://t.co/RmHLcRJ9M7
Elizabeth Williams (@E_Williams_1) August 11, 2024
There were a few more postgame moments that warmed the hearts of even the most ice-cold sports fans. The members of the gold medal-winning men’s team, including LeBron James and Bam Adebayo, paid respect to their fellow gold medal-winning hoopers after the game.
Gold recognize gold. USA women’s basketball players dapped up the men’s stars in attendance after their win.#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/b5oxMbeSQe
NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
Just like they did yesterday after the USA men’s basketball team took gold over France, Nike had a video ready for the women’s victory.
Even worthy opponents cant take their crown. Thats eight straight @Olympics gold medals for @TeamUSA Womens Basketball. #WinningIsntForEveryone #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/g1jvEaqUTm
Nike (@Nike) August 11, 2024
There was a beautiful moment between Sabrina Ionescu and the family of Kobe Bryant. After the buzzer, Ionescu found them courtside and immediately embraced them.
An INCREDIBLE moment: Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i20) embraces the Bryant family after Team USA captures gold at the #ParisOlympics. pic.twitter.com/TZDtfsD0F4
NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
But the best and most emotional moment of the entire game, and perhaps of the entire tournament, came from Brittney Griner. Two years ago she was detained in a Russian prison, fighting alleged drug charges, not knowing when or even if she’d ever see her U.S. homeland again. Her long detention is one of the reasons Griner said she wanted to play for Team USA: to show the love and pride she has for her country.
And you could see how much it meant to her on the medal stand. With the gold medal hanging from her neck, she stood with her hand over her heart as the national anthem played, tears freely streaming down her face.
After Team USA’s win in women’s basketball, the Star-Spangled Banner rings out one last time at the #ParisOlympics. pic.twitter.com/ede9dTQfsq
NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
Brittney Griner started to get emotional as she received her gold medal and listened to the USA national anthem pic.twitter.com/97r52YHDUC
ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 11, 2024
Man, seeing Brittany Griner up there crying on the medal stand is incredible. Listening to that anthem must have meant more to her than maybe anybody else in the Olympics. What a moment.
Ethan Budowsky (@ethanbudowsky) August 11, 2024