With the 2024 Olympic Games getting set to begin in a couple of days, our "WNBA Buckets" podcast discussed some best bets for Team USA before they start competing in Paris.
Here's three picks from Bryan Fonseca, including who will lead Team USA in scoring and in the assists category.
And be sure to check out the podcast below.
A'ja Wilson to Lead Team USA in Scoring
A'ja Wilson to lead Team USA in scoring at +275 is a juicy number, so I love this bet.
Breanna Stewart is second at +325 for good reason, but Wilson led Team USA in scoring during the World Cup in 2022.
Wilson is just the best player on the best team, and she's going to be relied upon during crunch time. She's looking like she'll win MVP again in the WNBA, too.
She's continuing to add to her game as the toolbox is getting a little bit deeper. The range is getting a little bit longer, too.
The Las Vegas Aces' superstar is just a monster, and I think she should lead the team in scoring.
Pick: A'ja Wilson to Lead Team USA in Scoring
China to Win Group A
Spain is the favorite to win the group, but I like China at +150
They have legitimate size, as much as anybody in this tournament. Han Xu, who we know well during her time with the New York Liberty, has been playing overseas this year and has been getting ready for the Olympics. She was very effective in the World Cup two years ago.
I think if you take this bet, you're basically saying China could beat Spain, which I think is realistic.
China also has a track record for success in international play. They earned a silver medal in the World Cup, and the only team they lost to was Team USA, which beat China twice.
Serbia is not expected to be higher than the third-best team in this group, and Puerto Rico just doesn't have the best team in this tournament.
China has better odds being at +150. Plus, they're not the favorite and they have the size that could bother Spain. Add that with their creativity and ball movement, and I think China has somewhat of a pedigree to do this.
Pick: China to Win Group A
Chelsea Gray to Lead Team USA in Assists
Chelsea Gray has to be the first person you look at for assists. If the number is good enough — and I'm getting plus money on that — I'm probably going to take it.
If the All-Star Game was any indication — though it's a one-game sample size, so it's not really an indication — this bet will hit. She had five assists in 11 minutes in that game.
She diced up the New York Liberty last year in the WNBA Finals. I thought at one point she was going to win MVP of the Finals because her playmaking was destroying the Liberty.
The pick-and-roll game is going to be there — along with some pick-and-pop with Stewart. Gray is where I would look in the assists category.
Pick: Chelsea Gray to Lead Team USA in Assists
