The penultimate episode of ‘Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants’ is all about the final lead up to the 2024 NFL Draft.

The fourth installment shows an in-depth look beginning with top-30 visits from the top prospects in college football coming to 1925 Giants Drive in East Rutherford all the way to the final minutes of the episode where general manager Joe Schoen, head coach Brian Daboll and the rest of the front office get set with the first round of the NFL draft about to begin.

Here are the takeaways from the most recent episode that focuses on the two positions Schoen and Daboll are targeting for the draft:

‘I’ve gotta do what’s best for the organization’

The first scene take us in a closed-door meeting between Schoen and senior player personnel executive Chris Mara, with the former talking about the conversation he had with QB Daniel Jones in the weeks ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

All things Giants: Latest New York Giants news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

‘It doesn’t mean we don’t have confidence in you Daniel (Jones), you’ve missed 17 games in the two years I’ve been here. That’s the reality of the situation,’ Schoen stated to his starting QB.

‘We’re gonna go through it but it doesn’t mean we’re gonna take one (QB). I’ve got to do what’s best for the organization and I have to go through the process.’

Schoen further reaffirmed his support for Jones and that he’ll have open lines of communications with him throughout this decision but doesn’t want Jones to be surprised if he sees top prospect QBs such as Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy in the cafeteria following Big Blue drafting them with the sixth overall pick.

Pro days take center stage

With the 2024 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, we see the front office go across the country to some of the biggest pro-days in the country from the University of Washington’s, Notre Dame’s and more.

One of those stops along the way was in Happy Valley for Penn State’s pro day, where now former Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley also happened to be in attendance.

‘(Jon) Runyan’s pretty good right?’ said Barkley in a conversation with new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo.

The two broke down the moves up front the G-Men made to beef up their o-line as scouts had their eyes on tight end Theo Johnson during the Pro Day at Penn State.

Next up on the list was LSU’s Pro Day, where all the attention was on QB Jayden Daniels and WR Malik Nabers.

Daboll didn’t hold back on his admiration for LSU’s top wideout during the session.

‘That guy’s a stud on tape. Nabers has a little dog in him.’

Top 30 visits

The Giants brought in the cream of the crop wide receivers in this year’s draft class, having Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze in at the same time to break down film with Shea Tierney, the Giants offensive passing game coordinator and QB coach.

Following a few minutes of going through plays with Tierney, the organization had each player come in one-on-one with Schoen and Daboll. as well as assistant general manager Brandon Brown on screen.

‘Bringing in good people who are also good players,’ said Daboll after Odunze asked what the four-time Super Bowl champion organization’s biggest need for the team is right now.

‘I have a hot temper not in a bad way, it’s just I wanna win,’ Nabers proclaimed with a question from Daboll on how he would deal with a situation that doesn’t go as planned.

In Schoen’s office, Giants president, CEO and co-owner John Mara point blank asked Tierney who he would take if he was on the clock right now and he had to make a decision, which he responded with three words:

‘I’d take Nabers.’

Discussion on trading up for a QB

As the episode progresses, the Giants’ staff discuss the idea of moving up into the top-five to select one of this year’s touted signal callers.

The focus turns to Daniels, where a majority of the scouts and members of the front office answered a resounding ‘yes’ when Schoen asked if they’d seen enough to trade up for the LSU QB.

When the general manager brings up Maye’s name, the room doesn’t seem nearly as sold with offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Mike Kafka saying, ‘If you have a guy you believe in, I think you go up and get him.’

Schoen and Daboll then lead the room with a look back at the past decade of QBs selected in the first round, with a majority of ‘misses’ or players no longer on said team or didn’t pan out when being drafted among the top-32 picks.

‘I’m nervous about giving away too much for a QB,’ states the eldest Mara.

With a flashback to 20 years ago when the organization traded up to draft Eli Manning at No. 1 overall, former Giants’ GM Ernie Accorsi believes that ‘there’s no price too high if you’re right, but you better be right.’

‘If we’re about to pull this deal off I’m gonna have palpitations,’ said John Mara but believed his conviction that if Schoen and company have a conviction about a certain QB when they pick, that he’d stand by whoever they take.

Patriots stay put at No. 3 overall

After having preliminary discussions with Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf at the Scouting Combine in late February/early March and in the time leading up to the first round, Wolf finally lets Schoen know early in the afternoon on draft day, April 25, that they’re not moving out of the third pick unless they were to get some type of historic offer that involved something that included the Giants’ first, second and third round pick in 2024 as well as a first and second round selection in 2025.

With the No. 3 pick officially off the board, Schoen and McDonnell discuss all other scenarios revolving around their first pick and where the other top prospects might land, which included a potential move up with Cardinals at No. 4 overall or even sliding down a spot to the seventh pick with the Titans and potentially even down to the ninth selection with the Bears if the board fell a certain way and Odunze or tight end Brock Bowers were still available at that time.

One thing we know for certain: Schoen states here that the Giants first round pick will be either a QB or WR, with Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Caleb Williams at quarterback and Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze at the wide receiver position all in consideration.

However, it seems as if Schoen has a favorite of the group: WR Malik Nabers.

‘Come on Malik Nabers, be there please’ the Giants’ general manager reiterates as he and McDonnell watch highlights of the LSU WR on the TV in his office.

Following a montage of different phone calls Schoen has with GMs from around the league, he tells McDonnell that they’ll listen to trade calls while on the clock but if Marv (Marvin Harrison Jr.) or Nabers is on the board, they’re turning the card in.

Next week: 2024 NFL Draft

All roads lead to this as the conclusion of episode four sets up the fifth and final episode starting with the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While QB is still theoretically on the board, it’s unlikely that’s the route the Giants will go given the earliest they could move up to now is the fourth overall pick and have turned their sights towards getting Daniel Jones a weapon.

In the teaser for this docuseries finale next week, we see Schoen having a discussion with Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas about a potential move while on the clock and also Schoen and John Mara discussing cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

We then get a quick look at rookie minicamp and OTAs before Schoen says ‘are you ready to be a New York Giant?’ before the screen fades to black on the episode.

Wide receiver Michael Gallup has decided to retire rather than play this season for the Las Vegas Raiders, the club indicated Tuesday with the announcement he was placed on the reserve/retired list.

Gallup signed a one-year contract with the club in April.

The 28-year-old Gallup, who spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, was placed on the list one day before the team’s first training camp practice.

Gallup amassed 3,744 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns on 266 catches. His best season was in 2019, when he had 66 receptions for 1,107 yards and six scores.

The third-round selection in the 2018 draft out of Colorado State sustained a torn ACL on Jan. 2, 2022, while making a touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals. In his final two seasons with the Cowboys, he had his lowest yardage totals of his career: 424 in 2022 and 418 last season.

All things Raiders: Latest Las Vegas Raiders news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Dallas released Gallup in March. His one-year deal was worth up to $3 million with the Raiders, who saw him as the possible third receiver behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

The Raiders also placed five players on the physically unable to perform list: linebacker Darien Butler, receiver Jalen Guyton, offensive tackle Kolton Miller and guards Jake Johanning and Jackson Powers-Johnson. Miller is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

The International Olympic Committee awarded Salt Lake City the 2034 Winter Games and the French Alps the 2030 Winter Games on Wednesday.

The announcement ended a lengthy process that will see Utah’s capital city back on the world stage three decades after it last hosted the games.

Salt Lake City was the only city under consideration by the IOC, as concerns about the high costs of putting on a three-week showcase and other factors caused other cities not to bid. The French bid was also the only one for the 2030 games.

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Upcoming Olympics locations

2026: Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy: Italy has hosted three Olympics: Rome in 1960 (summer), Winter Games: Cortina d’Ampezzo (1956), Turin (2006)
2028: Summer Olympics in Los Angeles; hosted in 1932, 1984
2030: Winter Olympics in the French Alps (fourth time France has hosted: Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968), Albertville (1992)
2032: Summer Olympics in Brisbane, Australia (third Australian city to host summer games: Melbourne (1956), Sydney (2000)
2034: Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (last hosted games in 2002)

Meet Team USA: See which athletes made the U.S. Olympic team and where they are from

A investigation is underway for Rachel Minaya, wife of New York Yankees executive Omar Minaya, the Bergen (New Jersey) County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday. 

In a release issued Monday, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said the Harrington Park Police Department responded Saturday afternoon to a 9-1-1 call reporting an unconscious and unresponsive adult female discovered in the bathroom of a private residence. Musella said police arrived at the home at about 3:32 p.m.

Upon arrival, first responders located the 55 year old and attempted to resuscitate her.

Minaya was transported via ambulance to Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood. 

She was pronounced dead at 4:26 p.m.

All things Yankees: Latest New York Yankees news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Was Omar Minaya home when his wife was found?

Omar Minaya was not home at the time of his wife’s death, according to the New York Post.

The circumstances involved do not appear suspicious, Musella said. However, a ruling on the cause and manner of death is pending. 

Additional details are not available as the investigation continues, officials said.

The Minayas have two sons, Justin and Teddy.

Omar Minaya joined the Yankees at the start of 2023 as a senior adviser to general manager Brian Cashman. He previously served as the New York Mets’ general manager from 2004 to 2010 and as a special assistant to multiple GMs from 2017 to 2020.

Drag racing icon John Force is heading home, one month after he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a high-speed crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in late June.

John Force Racing announced that Force ‘finally gets to sleep in his own bed’ after being discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute, a neurological rehabilitation center in Phoenix, where he was transferred to earlier this month to treat cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his TBI.

‘Peace out Phoenix! After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy,’ his daughter, fellow NHRA Funny Car driver Brittany Force, shared in an update on Instagram on Tuesday. ‘These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort!’

John Force’s team said the next phase of his recovery involves ‘outpatient speech, and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues.’

Force, a 16-time NHRA champion, was injured in a fiery crash on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park. He had just won his heat with a 302 mph run when his engine exploded, forcing his Funny Car to crash into a concrete wall at high speed. He was able to exit the wreckage, but did not escape without injury. Force suffered a TBI and fractured sternum, among other injuries, and was airlifted to a Virginia hospital, where he remained for 15 days before being transferred to Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

The Hall of Famer has made tremendous progress in the past month. His team previously announced that Force is able to ‘converse’ with others and has ‘regained his equilibrium,’ allowing him to walk with assistance. Despite the positive signs, his daughter Courtney Force said her father still has ‘a long road to recovery.’

‘Finally saying bye to Phoenix & Barrow Rehab (with) dad! Thank you to all the wonderful nurses & doctors,’ Courtney Force wrote on Twitter, alongside several photos of her dad in Phoenix, including one of him wearing a cast on his right arm. ‘It’s been one month since his accident & he’s officially starting outpatient care back home! This will still be a long road to recovery for him, but we’re all still so proud of him.’

John Force has won a total of 157 Funny Car events during his legendary racing career, which began in 1978. He currently ranks fifth in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings through 11 of 20 events this season. 

Two days before the Leagues Cup kicks off another 47-team World Cup-style tournament between Major League Soccer teams and those from Mexico’s Liga MX, star players from both leagues will compete against each other at the MLS All-Star Game at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

Wednesday night’s All-Star showcase will be the third which pits MLS stars against those from Liga MX. MLS won the most recent matchup, 2-1, in 2022 after prevailing in the inaugural MLS-Liga MX All-Star Game in penalty kicks in 2021.

Last year’s MLS All-Star Game featured Arsenal, which the English Premier League club won 5-0.

The return of the MLS-Liga MX All-Star Game should be an appropriate build-up opportunity for the two leagues ahead of Friday’s kickoff of the Leagues Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game:

What time does the MLS All-Star game start?

The MLS All-Star Game will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at 8 p.m. ET.

How can I watch the MLS All-Star game?

The MLS All-Star Game will stream for free exclusively on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Where is the 2024 MLS All-Star game?

The game will be held at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. The home of MLS’s Columbus Crew opened in 2021 and has a capacity of 20,139. It was the host stadium for last season’s MLS Cup, which the Columbus Crew won against Los Angeles FC.

Will Lionel Messi play in the MLS All-Star Game?

Lionel Messi — who was voted onto the MLS All-Star team via a vote by fans, players and media — will not play in the game. Messi has been dealing with a right ankle injury he suffered during Argentina’s Copa America final win against Colombia.

Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez also will not play in the MLS All-Star Game as he deals with knee discomfort.

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will represent Inter Miami at the All-Star Game.

Which players are on the MLS All-Star roster?

Goalkeepers (3): Roman Bürki (St. Louis City SC), Hugo Lloris (Los Angeles FC), Maarten Paes (FC Dallas)

Defenders (9): Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF), Moïse Bombito (Colorado Rapids), Rudy Camacho (Columbus Crew), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake), Aaron Herrera (D.C. United), Thiago Martins (New York City FC), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati), Miles Robinson* (FC Cincinnati), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids)

Midfielders (10): Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati), Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF), Mathieu Choinière (CF Montreal), Evander (Portland Timbers), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC), Robin Lod (Minnesota United FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew), Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy)

Forwards (8): Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango* (Real Salt Lake), Christian Benteke (D.C. United), Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC), Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC), Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez (Columbus Crew), Lionel Messi* (Inter Miami CF), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy), Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew), Luis Suarez* (Inter Miami CF)

*Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will miss the All-Star Game due to injuries. Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango has been suspended and will miss the All-Star Game. Miles Robinson will miss the All-Star Game as he is with the U.S. men’s national team for the Paris Olympics.

Which players are on the Liga MX roster for the MLS All-Star Game?

Goalkeepers (3): Ángel Malagón (Club America), Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul), Fernando Tapia (Tigres UANL)

Defenders (9): Jesús Angulo (Tigres UANL), Brian García (Toluca), Bryan González (CF Pachuca), Alan Mozo (Guadalajara), Jesús Orozco (Guadalajara), Alexis Peña (Club Necaxa), Gonzalo Piovi (Cruz Azul), Guido Pizarro (Tigres UANL), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Atlético San Luis)

Midfielders (15): Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Alán Bautista (CF Pachuca), Germán Berterame (CF Monterrey), Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), Sergio Canales (CF Monterrey), Nelson Deossa (CF Pachuca), Javairô Dilrosun (Club América), Jonathan Dos Santos (Club América), Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético San Luis), Álvaro Fidalgo (Club América), Andrés Guardado (Club León), César Huerta (Pumas UNAM), Oussama Idrissi (CF Pachuca), Maximiliano Meza (CF Monterrey), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)

Forwards (3): Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres UANL), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM), Salomón Rondón (CF Pachuca)

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The U.S. Women’s Basketball Team is more star-studded than their attire. Between Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and many more, the U.S. will be hard-pressed to find an opponent that gives them a run for their money. They aren’t unbeatable though. After all, they did just lose to the WNBA All-Star team.

This is a team that hasn’t played together much. Any competition they get right now is a means of learning to gel before the games start to matter. Tonight, it was Germany. Yesterday, the American men took care of business against the Germans by a score of 92-88. Tonight, the women were able to do the same, in an even more dominant fashion, winning 84-57.

Here are the highlights from the team’s final exhibition game before the Olympics.

When does the U.S. Women’s National Team play next?

The United States’ next game will be in the Olympics. Their first game is scheduled for July 29, at 3 p.m. ET against Japan.

Meet Team USA: See which athletes made the U.S. Olympic team and where they are from

The other games on the United States’ schedule include an August 1 showdown against Belgium and a rematch against Germany slated for August 4.

Highlights from U.S. win over Germany

Final score: USA 84, Germany 57

Leading scorers: United States, A’ja Wilson (19); Germany, Luisa Geiselsoder (15)
Leading rebounders: United States, A’ja Wilson (14); Germany, Nyara Sabally (10)

Alyssa Thomas keeps getting good feeds

Even with Kelsey Plum out of the game, Thomas has been the recipient of several of the best Team USA passes, including this dime from Jackie Young:

Sabrina Ionescu secures her first points of the game

Ionescu had yet to make an impact on the scoresheet, but after a slow start to the fourth, Ionescu would get the scoring going with what she does best: hitting a contested three-pointer.

Ionescu would also secure the fourth and fifth points of the quarter, sinking two free throws a minute later.

US leads by 14 after three quarters

The third quarter was the lowest-scoring quarter for the United States thus far, but they still managed to increase their lead to 14 points. A’ja Wilson has dominated the glass, with nearly three times as many rebounds (14) as the next closest American (Alyssa Thomas, 5).

Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Plum connect on multiple buckets

With two minutes to go in the third quarter, Plum has found a nice connection with Alyssa Thomas. The two have connected on a few buckets recently, including two off very nice feeds from Plum, who has assumed the facilitator role.

Wilson continues dominating in second half

Clearly the break didn’t do much to slow Wilson down. Wilson came out the gates firing, with five points in less than three minutes, capped off with this incredible and-one off the feed from Breanna Stewart.

A’ja Wilson with a double-double at half

Wilson has been playing like the best player on the planet, showing why she is a two-time WNBA MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. At the half, Wilson already had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

United States lead by 12 at half

Compared to the first quarter, the second quarter felt like a dominant effort from Germany. That said, the Germans only gained one point on Team USA. Even when Team USA is not playing their best, they’re still capable of keeping up with strong teams.

Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson have combined for 23 points early on as Team USA heads into the second half with a sizable lead.

Chelsea Gray with a big three

Germany may have had the upper hand from beyond the arc in the second quarter, but the Americans got some good looks of their own. Toward the end of the quarter, Chelsea Gray had a phenomenal look from very deep to keep Team USA’s lead at double digits heading into the second half.

Germany off to quick start in second quarter

After a quick three-pointer to start the second frame, Germany was swarming the Americans on offense, outshooting Team USA 5-2, and outscoring them 7-2 through the first three minutes.

While Team USA was able to break out of the funk with a three-pointer of their own, Germany answered back with a nice feed under the basket to Lina Sontag for an easy two-pointer.

That was quickly followed up with a steal from Leonie Fiebich for an easy transition layup. All of a sudden, the United States’ massive lead was shrunk to seven.

United States dominates first quarter

If there were any questions how this team would fare after falling to the WNBA All-Stars, they were squashed early in this game. The United States got out to a monstrous 22-9 lead after one quarter.

A’ja Wilson too quick in the post

Standing at 6’4′, A’ja Wilson is a menace to all athletes who stand against her. That was very apparent early on in this game as Wilson was able to sprint past defenders and get great looks near the hoop thanks to great looks from her teammates. Just look at this feed from Chelsea Gray:

Diana Taurasi has still got it

Even at 42 years old, five-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi wasted no time getting the scoring going. Less than a minute into the contest, Taurasi earned the first bucket of the game with a three-pointer from the left side of the arc.

Taurasi’s three sparked a 9-2 run to start the game for Team USA.

USA vs. Germany: Time, TV, streaming and how to watch

Date: Tuesday, July 23
Time: 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Location: The O2 Arena, London
TV: FS1
Streaming: YouTube TV, fubo TV 

Paris 2024 Olympics women’s 5×5 basketball groups

Group A:

China
Puerto Rico
Serbia
Spain

Group B:

Australia
Canada
France
Nigeria

Group C:

Blegium
Germany
Japan
United States

Team USA women’s basketball roster

Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Kahleah Cooper, Phoenix Mercury
Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces
Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

Germany roster

Satou Sabally, Shandong
Alexandra Wilke, Keltern
Theresa Simon, Alba Berlin
Jennifer Crowder, Velichen
Nyara Sabally, USK Praha
Marie Guelich, Valencia
Leonie Fiebich, Zaragoza
Sonja Greinacher, N/A
Luisa Geiselsoeder, Landes
Alina Hartmann, Namur
Svenja Brunckhorst, N/A
Lina Sontag, UCLA

When are the Paris 2024 Olympics?

The 2024 Paris Olympics start on July 24 and run through August 11.

How can I watch the 2024 Paris Olympics?

TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC

Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com 

USA women’s basketball Olympics schedule: Time and TV

Action begins on July 29 with an exhibition taking place on July 23.

July 23 – United States vs. Germany: 3 p.m. ET on FS1 (exhibition)
July 29 – Women’s Group Phase, Group C: United States vs. Japan: 1 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
August 1 – Women’s Group Phase, Group C: Belgium vs. United States: 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
August 4 – Women’s Group Phase, Group C: Germany vs. United States: 11:15 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
August 7 – Women’s Quarterfinals: Games start between 5 a.m. ET – 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
August 9 – Women’s Semifinal: 11:30 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
August 11 – Women’s Bronze Medal Game: 5:30 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
August 11 – Women’s Gold Medal Game: 9:30 a.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

Team USA men’s 2024 Paris Olympic Games schedule

For the men, here is how the early games shake out.

July 28 vs. Serbia, 11:15 a.m. ET
July 31 vs. South Sudan, 3 p.m. ET
August 3 vs. Puerto Rico, 11:15 a.m. ET

How many medals does Team USA women’s basketball have?

Since women’s basketball was introduced to the Olympics in 1976, the United States has medaled in every Olympics they have competed in (they didn’t compete in 1980 due to a nationwide Olympic boycott).

In total, the U.S. women’s basketball team has won eleven medals – 9 gold, one silver (1976), and one bronze (1992). The U.S. women have won seven straight gold medals dating back to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Is Caitlin Clark on the USA women’s basketball Olympic team?

Indiana Fever star guard and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is not on the U.S. women’s basketball team. The reason for this is likely one of two reasons: Clark is inexperienced on the international stage and U.S. women’s team spots are usually given to veterans, and/or Clark’s participation in March Madness for Iowa this year did not enable to her to attend U.S. training camp. Her absence likely played a large role in the selection committee’s decision to not choose her for the team.

USA Basketball Showcase location

The U.S. women’s national team game against Germany will take place at the O2 Arena in London.

Team USA women’s exhibition results

While this squad went 3-0 in February qualifying, Team USA has played in only one exhibition game so far, a 117-109 loss to the WNBA All-Stars. Arike Ogunbowale led all scorers with 34 points, a WNBA All-Star game record, en route to All-Star MVP.

While this may seem concerning, the WNBA All-Star game has had this format once before (2021). In that instance, the All-Stars also won, 93-85. Ogunbowale was the MVP of that game as well. Team USA would still go on to win gold though.

Team USA players to know

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

One of the most dominant players in the WNBA today, Wilson has won MVP in two of the last four seasons, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors each of the last two seasons, and has never finished any of her six full seasons lower than eighth in MVP voting.

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury

Even at 42 years old, Taurasi is as good as they come in the WNBA. She is a leader through and through and has been a part of every women’s Olympic team since her rookie season in 2004.

Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

Taurasi’s teammate, Griner is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Standing at 6’9′, Griner’s sheer size makes her unguardable in some games. Oh, and despite standing at nearly seven feet, she’s still shot over 30% from three for her career.

Germany players to know

Lina Sontag, UCLA

That’s right. The Germans have a college athlete on their national team. Sontag helped the UCLA Bruins to a Sweet 16 berth, and while she is not the most prolific scorer, she is a very good rebounder, snagging over two rebounds a game during the Pac-12 tournament this past year, while playing less than 15 minutes per game.

Satou Sabally, Shandong

Sabally is a deadly three-point shooter, hitting 34.7% of her shots from beyond the arc with Shandong. While Sabally has struggled to find her stroke in two games with the German national team (shooting 1-of-11 from three), it only means she’s due for a monster performance when it matters.

Although she has played for Shandong most recently, Sabally is also a forward for the Dallas Wings during the WNBA season, but has sat out the entire year thus far with a shoulder injury. She will suit up for Germany in the Olympics though.

Team USA women’s basketball vs. Germany predictions

Pulver writes, ‘There is no need to be concerned about the tight game against Belgium in the qualifiers. The team only got together for a few days before the qualifying tournament began, and they got to open against the host team (who was fired up and ready to make a statement in front of a home crowd). Once they worked the kinks out in that game, they crushed Nigeria (100-46) and Senegal (101-39).’

Gorelick points out, ‘Eight of the top 10 WNBA players in points per game – A’ja Wilson, Kahleah Copper, Jewell Lloyd, Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum – are on the Team USA Olympics roster. Wilson leads the WNBA in points, rebounds and blocks per game averages, and she is the only Team USA player in the WNBA’s top 20 players in terms of three-point percentage. Wilson, Collier and Stewart make up the top three, listed in order, in WNBA defensive win shares.’

Team USA women’s lineup

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Brandon Aiyuk opted against one form of ratcheting up his contractual standoff with the San Francisco 49ers.

The wide receiver reported to training camp Tuesday despite the impasse with the organization on talks for an extension.

Aiyuk, 36, is set to earn $14.1 million on the last year of his deal – the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. But after a breakout season in which he led the 49ers in receiving yards (1,342) for the second consecutive year, the 2020 first-round pick is seeking an extension that would afford him a significant pay bump as well as more long-term security. He did not attend the team’s mandatory minicamp amid the impasse.

Each training camp practice missed could result in up to $50,000 in fines, though the team can forgive any financial penalties stemming from this stretch since Aiyuk is still on his rookie contract.

With the 49ers yet to budge on a deal, Aiyuk last week requested a trade, according to multiple reports. General manager John Lynch has repeatedly dismissed any speculation of a potential move, saying since April’s draft that the team has no intention of moving one of its most important offensive pieces.

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‘We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward,’ Lynch said on Tuesday. ‘We’re always open to listen to things, but like I said, we expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team like he has been, and (we’re) excited about that.’

Aiyuk’s standoff with the 49ers comes amid an explosion in the market for top receivers. Minnesota Vikings All-Pro Justin Jefferson set the bar at the position in June with a four-year, $140 million deal, while the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million) and DeVonta Smith (three years, $75 million), Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120.01 million), Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle (three years, $84.75 million) and Houston Texans’ Nico Collins (three years, $72.75 million) have all signed big-money pacts this offseason.

The 49ers, however, have had to navigate their spending while planning for a potential extension for quarterback Brock Purdy next offseason. The 2022 ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ is set to make just $985,000 in base salary for the upcoming season, after which he will be eligible for a new deal. 49ers CEO Jed York said in March he expects Purdy ‘to going to ask for something that no one has ever asked for before.’

Aiyuk is far from the first 49ers star to be left waiting for a pay bump.

After Nick Bosa earned Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, the defensive end waged a holdout that lasted until just days before last season began. He eventually agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract that made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. The team also waived all of the fines Bosa incurred during the holdout.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel also requested a trade in the 2022 offseason before reaching a three-year, $71.55 million extension months later. In 2020, tight end George Kittle’s five-year, $75 million did not materialize until mid-August.

PARIS −Israeli athletes will receive 24-hour protection during the Paris Olympics, France’s interior minister said, after a far-left lawmaker said Israel’sdelegation was not welcome and called for protests against theirparticipation.

The Games begin on Friday amid pronounced security concerns and heightened geopolitical tensions over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Israel’s war against Hamas that has devastated Gaza has become a lightning rod among France’s far left, with some critics accusing pro-Palestinian members of antisemitism.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in a TV interview on Sunday evening that Israeli athletes would be protected around the clock during the Games, 52 years after the Munich Olympics massacre in which 11 Israelis were killed by Palestinian militants.

Darmanin spoke after far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party lawmaker Thomas Portes was filmed saying Israel’s Olympic athletes were not welcome in France, and that there should be protests against their taking part in the Games.

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‘We are a few days away from an international event which will be held in Paris, which is the Olympic Games. And I am here to say that no, the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris,’ he said to applause, according to images posted on social media.

Portes did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Israeli embassy declined to comment.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said at a meeting with European Union counterparts in Brussels: ‘I want to say on behalf of France, to the Israeli delegation, we welcome you to France for these Olympic Games.’

He said he would emphasise that point in an imminent phone call with his Israeli counterpart, and also ‘tell him that we are ensuring the security of the Israeli delegation’.

Paul Benvie, one of the U.S. State Department officials coordinating Olympics security for Team USA, told Reuters that anti-Israeli sentiment was ‘one of a number of issues’Washington was looking at, and ‘part of the ongoing analysis to determine where do we need to adjust our strategies’.

Some LFI lawmakers offered a partial defence of Portes’ comments. Manuel Bompard, a senior party official and lawmaker, wrote on social media platform X that he supported Portes ‘in the face of the wave of hatred he is experiencing.

‘Faced with repeated violations of international law by the Israeli government, it is legitimate to ask that its athletes compete under a neutral banner in the Olympic Games,’ he wrote.

Israel denies violating international law in its war in Gaza triggered by a cross-border Hamas attack in October last year.

In a sign of the complex security issues surrounding the Israeli delegation, a memorial ceremony for the Israeli athletes killed in the 1972 Munich attack has been moved from outside Paris’ City Hall to the Israeli embassy.

The Palestinian Olympic Committee on Monday joined calls for Israel to be excluded from the Games in an open letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

The letter accused Israel of breaching the traditional Olympic truce, which is scheduled to run from July 19 until after the Paralympics in mid-September, with continued militaryaction in Gaza.

The Games kick off on Friday with an ambitious opening ceremony along the Seine with athletes paraded in barges down the river. Participation is optional, however, and Israeli officials have declined to say whether Israel’s athletes willtake part.