Jazmon Gwathmey (C) of Puerto Rico (Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Power ranking the 2021 Olympics women’s basketball teams where Team USA looks to capture another gold medal, but who could challenge them?
The 2021 Olympics are nearing closer, and the 12 women’s basketball teams that have punched their ticket to Tokyo are hoping to return to their home countries with a Gold medal. Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Japan, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Spain, Serbia, South Korea, and the United States are the 12 squads that will compete in August for the gold.
The competition isn’t as evenly spread through the clubs, but any team can still be beaten on any given day. Heading into the Tokyo Olympics, which women’s national time ranks above the rest? Here are the power rankings for the women’s basketball teams heading into the Tokyo Olympics.
12. Women’s Olympic basketball power rankings: Puerto Rico
Starting from the bottom, we have Puerto Rico as the lowest-ranked team entering the Olympics. According to the FIBA rankings, they were the worst out of all 12 teams entering March 2021. In addition, their offense seems to be lacking, as only two of their players averaged more than 15 points per game during FIBA Americup 2021 (Jennifer O’Neill and Jazmon Gwathmey).
Despite their lack of offense, the team went 5-2 during the FIBA Americup, reaching the Finals against the USA. This is Puerto Rico’s first time in the Olympics, and the group is hoping to make history during their first trip. However, Their inexperience playing on that big stage and their lack of offensive firepower put them at a disadvantage entering the tournament.
11. Women’s Olympic basketball power rankings: South Korea
South Korea is headed to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. The last time they were there in 2008, they finished eighth. Entering Tokyo 2021, the team is in pot 4 along with Puerto Rico. That means they are one of the lesser talented teams in the tournament, but South Korea isn’t a stranger to success at the Olympics. They won the silver medal in 1984 and made it to the bronze medal game in 2000.
Unfortunately, South Korea is a victim of limited star power. Hyeyoon Bae is their best player, but the team struggles to have consistent talent behind her. In an Olympic tournament where star power leads the way and breeds success, South Korea lacks in that area. It will come back to bite them when they encounter more dominant teams during the Olympics.