Curry Rains 3-Pointers On French Men
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Samori Benjamin and Andrew Rosario
Wilson and Bench Leads Women To The Gold Medal
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The United States Men’s Basketball team won gold at the Olympics for the 5th consecutive Olympics with a 98-87 win last Saturday in Paris. Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry stole the show down the stretch making four straight three-point shots from the 2:48 mark of the fourth quarter. Before the first made three at the 2:48 mark, France had gotten within three points of the United States. After the Curry barrage the France crowd was stunned and he finished with a team-high 24 points.
For France, NBA rookie of the year, 7’5 Victor Wembanyama, led all scorers with 26 points. He was reduced to tears when the clock hit zero. France was attempting to become just the second host country ever to win basketball gold at the Olympics. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker scored 15 points apiece for the US and Lebron James added 14 points. The five other NBA players on the French roster outside of Wembanyama, which include former Knicks Evan Fournier and Frank Ntilikina, along with three-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert, Nick Batum and Bilal Coulibaly, combined for just 21 points.
It wasn’t that easy for the USA Women Basketball team when they faced the French Women in the Gold Medal basketball game last Sunday. They committed 19 total turnovers and found themselves tied at 25 at halftime. They started the second half flat falling behind by 10 points (35-25) as the French women scored the first 10 points of the third period. Behind A’Ja Wilson (21 points, 9-12 free throws) and strong bench play from both Kahleah and Kelsey Plum who both scored 12 points and were 6-6 from the free throw line, the women rallied and came away with a 67-66 win. It was the 61st straight win in Olympic play the 8th consecutive time they brought the Gold Medal home. French woman Gaby Williams nailed a basket at the buzzer but unfortunately her foot was just inside the 3-point line in 67-66 loss as they were able to secure the silver second place medal. Veteran Diana Taurasi, who did not play, got her 6th Gold Medal. Said Taurasi after, “I think everyone always thinks these games end up being easy because we win gold medals. But a game in France against a French team that we know what kind of pedigree they play. I’ve been lucky to be around some of just the best players to ever play. When I was younger, some of my idols in the middle with my counterparts, and now to see these young guys go out there and get this gold medal, a lot of luck, a lot of hard work.”
The 2028 Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, California as the women look to extend their streak. The French men and women showed the talent gap among the other countries are closing fast. The men will be looking for their 6th straight Olympic Gold Medal.
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