.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
It can be argued that the United States took it easy on the field during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
Why? Because managing director Sue Bird did not call up Olivia Miles to the 12-player roster.
The United States solidified even further its ongoing dominance of women's basketball on Sunday by defeating France in the FIBA World Cup's gold-medal game from Berlin, Germany. Back in the United States, Miles -- a rising superstar for the Minnesota Lynx -- could only watch and continue her preparation for the WNBA's return. The Lynx resume play Friday with a blockbuster showdown against the New York Liberty.
MORE: Aces' Jackie Young has completed basketball after FIBA World Cup win
Leaving Miles at home was an understandable decision from Bird and the USA Basketball brain trust. Though she is the prohibitive Rookie of the Year favorite and a bonafide MVP contender, Miles has not played in FIBA competition before, and the US hierarchy rewards experience in both the WNBA and in international basketball. Miles hasn't met either requirement just yet.
However, by 2028 she will have, and USA Today Sports has confidently projected that Miles will be on the USA's Olympic roster for that summer's Games.
"Sue Bird has some challenging decisions to make ahead," writes USA Today's Mitchell Northam. "Leaving (Kahleah) Copper off the roster after a strong World Cup might be a hard call, as will excluding (Sabrina) Ionescu and (Kelsey) Plum, but it’s difficult to ignore Miles and (JuJu) Watkins' talent."
Team USA won its fifth consecutive World Cup yesterday, but now all eyes are on the 2028 Olympics.
So, who makes the roster? I took a crack at projecting the 12-player lineup. Make room for Olivia Miles.https://t.co/D7xRVLHAiE
Miles' game appears tailor-made for FIBA and Olympic basketball: she doesn't need Caitlin Clark-esque usage to be effective International rules prioritize player athleticism and efficiency as opposed to physical superiority. It's why guards like Paige Bueckers and Jackie Young were so effective in Germany.
By 2028, Miles will be even better than she is now and way too good to ignore. She will have built up two-and-a-half seasons of professional experience -- and while she will need to earn her minutes in Los Angeles, there's no doubt her inclusion on the Olympic roster will give opposing coaches even larger headaches as they try to stop the United States from winning gold a ninth consecutive time.
English (US)