The U.S. women's national basketball team will go up against a team of WNBA All-Stars that have not been selected to Team USA in an exhibition match on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
It will perhaps be the U.S. team's most difficult test of the entire summer. While they are just -190 favorites against the WNBA All-Stars, they are -8000 to win their first group stage contest against Nigeria and a ridiculous -1100 to win gold in Tokyo.
The total for this contest is 195.5 points as of Wednesday night, though that line has dropped from its opening mark of 251.5 — an insane 56 point decline after this story published.
WNBA All-Stars vs. Team USA Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread |
|---|---|---|
| WNBA All-Stars | +155 | +4 |
| Team USA | -190 | -4 |
The national team will consist of stalwarts including Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, who have won a combined eight gold medals. Other gold medalists that have returned to defend the U.S.' gold include two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart (2016), Brittney Griner (2016), Tina Charles (2012 and 2016) and Sylvia Fowles (2008, 2012 and 2016).
First-time Olympians include two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd and reigning MVP A'ja Wilson. Other newcomers include Skylar Diggins-Smith, Chelsea Gray, Napheesa Collier and Ariel Atkins.
The WNBA All-Stars were selected by the league's coaches, who chose from a list of 36 top vote-getters who did not make Team USA. That roster is led by six-time All-Star Candace Parker and all-WNBA forward Jonquel Jones.
DeWanna Bonner, Liz Cambage and Courtney Vandersloot are the three other returning All-Stars. The roster will include seven first-time All-Stars, including 2020's leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale, two-time Sixth Woman of the Year Dearica Hamby, Betnijah Laney, Satou Sabally, Courtney Williams, Brionna Jones and Kahleah Copper.
Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson will co-coach the WNBA All-Star team.
A similar format had last been used before the 2004 Olympics, when Team USA played a group of WNBA All-Stars also not included on the national team.
The U.S. team dominated in a 74-58 victory. Ironically, Leslie led the U.S.' charge with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Some notable props include Team USA to win by 1-5 points (+280), Team USA to win by 6-10 points (+360) and the WNBA All-Stars to win by 1-5 points (+340).
