There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the USA Basketball team as they entered a new era.
The new-look Team USA won a fourth consecutive World Cup gold medal in front of a crowd of 15,895 fans at the Sydney SuperDome, cementing their legacy as one of the top teams in the world.
There were only five players from the Tokyo Olympic team that won a seventh-consecutive gold medal. No Bird, Sylvia Fowles, Tina Charles, or anyone else. After years of being defined by its experience and elder-statesmanship, the senior national team that took the floor had just one 30-year-old and six rookies. One of the greatest dynasties in sports have been assumed by the head coach, who has won four titles with the Minnesota Lynx.
The USA has not lost in a major international competition since the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup against Russia.
The last time China won a medal at a major international competition was in 1994. Lauren Jackson dropped 30 points in her final game for the Opals as Australia won the bronze medal with a 95-65 victory over Canada.
A'ja Wilson, a first-time All-Star and all-WNBA selection, is one of the new additions to Team USA.
The trio combined for 46 of the USA's 83 points in the Final. In the first half, Wilson had 16 points. After a five-point game to end the first quarter and a 10 point game at the half, the USA broke it open with a 25-14 edge in the third.
There were two USA members who finished with 11 points.
In their first tournament as leaders, Breanna Stewart and Wilson were able to carry the mantle left by the likes of Bird, Taurasi and Fowles. The newcomers made their impact felt immediately, too, with teammates deeming her their "glue" and the "most valuable player of this tournament" prior to the title game.
China was without their top scorer from the first meeting of the tournament, Li Meng, due to an illness. The USA's Kahleah Copper was out for the second game in a row because of an injury. Thomas went down with an injury in the second half but came back to the game. The man had to be carried off the floor in the fourth quarter after he injured his knee.
Wilson won the World Cup's Most Valuable Player award, as well as the first defensive player of the year honor, and was joined on the All-Star Five by a Canadian, a Chinese, and a US player.
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