Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson added another title to her legendary career. The two-time WNBA champion received the MVP title for the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Olympics.  Wilson assisted in propelling Team USA women to an exciting victory over France in the final to win an eighth straight gold medal for the United States.  “It’s amazing,” Wilson said after the win. “It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB and it has been incredible. And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed.” Wilson scored 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in the 67-66 victory and averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks over six matches at the Olympics.  Additionally, she was listed among the All-Star Five for women’s basketball at the Paris Olympics alongside teammate Breanna Stewart, Gabby Williams of France, Alanna Smith of Australia and Emma Meesseman of Belgium.  The eight straight golds snapped a tie with the American men’s program that won seven in a row from 1936-68. The USA women’s win came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men’s team also defeated France in the match. This was the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal games featured the same two teams. 

The 2024 Olympic Games have officially begun in Paris, France. Two groups for women’s 5×5 basketball played on Thursday: Group C (Japan, Germany, France, Belgium, USA) and Group B (Australia, Canada, France, Nigeria). Meanwhile, both the USA women and men’s 3×3 teams played a pair of matches.  Below are the updates for the USA women action in the Paris Olympics. USA 87, Belgium 74 – Group C (Women’s 5×5). USA 60, Belgium 53 – Start of 4th quarter USA 46, Belgium 38 – Start of 3rd quarter

Gordon Hayward has retired from the NBA after 14 seasons, on Thursday. His most memorable moment was almost giving Butler a national title over Duke. It was a half-court shot that just missed on the final play of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball championship game.  Hayward played for the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder. He was an All-Star in 2017. Gordon averaged 15.2 points in 835 career regular-season matches. And he said he was looking forward to spending quality time with his family.  “Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” Hayward wrote on social media. “It’s been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.” Hayward expressed gratitude to his parents and family and his agent Mark Bartelstein. Additionally, he thanked his coaches, teammates, trainers, doctors and friends for supporting him. His letter read, “through countless years and cities, helping me exceed my own expectations.” “To all my fans: thank you for supporting me through the ups and downs,” Hayward wrote. “I’ll always cherish the letters of encouragement and the moments we’ve shared around the world. You inspired me to always dream big and improve everyday — and for the young players up next, I challenge you to do the same.”

The 2024 Olympics Games have officially begun in Paris, France. Group A (Australia, Spain, Greece, Canada) and Group B (Germany, Brazil, France, Japan) swung back in action while pool play for the men’s and women’s 3×3 competition tipped off in Paris.  Take a look at the best basketball moments from July 30.  Germany 86, Brazil 73. France 94, Japan 90 (OT). Canada 93, Australia 83. Spain 84, Greece 77. 3×3 Pool Play (Men) • Serbia 22, USA 14 3×3 Pool Play (Women) • Germany 17, USA 13.

As the Olympics kick off, big, bold and colorful signs and banners go up in several places, acknowledging the biggest basketball attraction in a city that anticipates its magnificence.  But enough about San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama. Team USA had its first practice in France on Thursday at the Palais de sports Marcel-Cerdan. This was the gym where French sensation Wembanyama got his first start before joining the Spurs. However, as USA gears up to face Serbia on Sunday for the Olympics, there is still no word on Kevin Durant and his calf injury and when he will finally play.  Durant attended practice four times but did not play in any of the five exhibition matches. Coach Steve Kerr said his status remains uncertain. Kerr said: “There are no expectations other than he’s supposed to practice, we’ll scrimmage, then take it day by day.” Durant said he felt rejuvenated and is good enough to stay on the team and play at some point in the Olympics.  Durant said: “Each day is getting better, another intense practice and we’ll see how it feels.” With Durant absent, Kerr will probably start with the five players he had for most of the exhibition games, pending a last-minute change: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker. “We’re not traveling around anymore,” Kerr said. “We’re here. We got six games. We get through pool play, advance, then it’s the NCAA tournament.” Team USA  had some tension against South Sudan and Germany, and Kerr said he believed those lapses will not follow the team to the Olympics. “We need 40 minutes of forced attention and focus,” Kerr said. “We can’t let teams outplay us, effort and energy wise, as we did.” The pool play will hold in Lille, France’s most populated city, at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium. The site was chosen, partly because Paris only has one arena that can house basketball games. Bercy will host gymnastics next week. FIBA, the national governing body for basketball, voiced complaints when that location was announced two years ago. The NBA commissioner Adam Silver also expressed his displeasure. Lille is two hours from Paris, near the Belgium border, making it inconvenient for a popular Olympics sport. Due to the logistics, Team USA will travel back and forth for three matches, in a private car, and stay in a hotel in Paris. The following week, the medal stage will move to Paris for the games. When asked which country he is most looking forward to playing, Curry said: “Whoever’s in the gold medal game.” That mindset is perfect for a team that once again projects as dominant. “We have another level we can get to,” Kerr said. “It’s time to lock in, that’s for all of us, coaches and players, to get to that point, mentally, strategically.”

Paul George has joined Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid to form a formidable trio that will bring the Philadelphia 76ers their first title since 1983. Before George, Tyrese Maxey was asked to be patient, and the millions he wanted will come. Perhaps an NBA championship too. Maxey was sceptical a year ago when the 76ers asked their guard; who was not yet an All-Star, had not dropped 50 points in a match three times to wait until this summer to sign a contract extension.  Philadelphia had a solid plan: Maxey would start the offseason with a salary cap hold of $13 million dollars, a low figure by NBA standards. However, this allowed the team to enter free agency with roughly $65 million to spend on building their roster. They added a possible superstart to join Tyrese and 2023 NBA MVP and Olympian Joel Embiid. Enter, Paul George. With money to splurge, the 76ers convinced George to leave the Los Angeles Clippers. He signed a four-year, $212 million contract with them. Philadelphia and team president Daryl Morey did not forget about Maxey, either. The NBA’s Most Improved Player, Maxey was compensated for his patience with a five-year, $204 million extension. The 76ers dedicated over $400 million in salary to two players. They believe places them as the top competitors to defeat the NBA champion Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum. The 76ers gave Maxey his due for the biggest assist of his career. “By being patient, he allowed us to put this offseason together, to really put us in position to be one of the very few legitimate contenders in the league this year,” Morey said. The 76ers believe they were worthy contenders for years, only for a group of second-fiddlers to pass through town with nothing much to show except postseason busts for their time here. Sixers fans can read off the list of lemons easily, from Ben Simmons to Tobias Harris; from Jimmy Butler to Al Horford; from Markelle Fultz to James Harden. George and Maxey both sat for their first formal press conferences on Tuesday at the 76ers’ New Jersey complex. This is complete with ownership, the front office and even the All-Star duo, insisting that next season will be as good as it gets for the team. “I think we are set up,” team owner Josh Harris said. “It’s hard not to be excited about this team. I’ve been here for the last 10 years, 12 years, and this is among, if not the best team, we’ve had since I’ve been here.” Maxey basically took a leap of faith by believing that he would still get the money a year later and the 21st overall pick in the 2020 draft has found a home in Philadelphia. “I understood what the end goal was,” Maxey said. “Sometimes you have to realise that.” George, who has averaged 20.8 points over a 14-year career, wanted to move on from the Clippers and refused a player option in his contract for $48.8 million in 2024-25 that ended a five-year stretch with the team in which he averaged at least 21.5 points each season. George said “Philly was No. 1″ for his top choice in free agency because the 76ers “kind of fit my game and fit where I was at in my career.” Perhaps. Philadelphia, rose to the top spot more because they offered up to $60 million over the Clippers; offer, one that George referred to as “disrespectful.’’ George stated earlier this month on his podcast that he “never wanted to leave LA’’ and would have signed with the Clippers had they given the three-year, $150-million extension they offered Kawhi Leonard. He also wanted a no-trade clause. He said Los Angeles would not give him a four-year, $212-million contract, or any deal without the promise of a no-trade clause. George said on Tuesday there was no “ill will’’ toward the Clippers. He thanked the team for allowing him to play in his home city and for a “legitimate shot to chase a championship every season.’’ He essentially traded a Big Three with Leonard and Harden in Los Angeles for a chance to join Maxey and Embiid and form a triple treat in Philly. “Joel has secretly been one of my closest All-Star Game friends,” George said. “It kind of felt inevitable that at some point, we would link up and be teammates.” George was enticed at his California home by a contingent that included Harris, Morey, coach Nick Nurse and even 76ers legend and Hall of Famer Julius Erving. Weather delays forced a late arrival at George’s home.

Stephen Curry leads with 24 points as Team USA beat Nikola Jokic and Serbia in a showcase game. Curry was somewhat quiet offensively during the U.S Olympic team’s first two exhibitions before the Paris Games.  He became more assertive on Wednesday with his official Olympic debit less than two weeks away. Curry scored 24 points, Bam Adebayo contributed 17 and Team USA beat Serbia 105-79 to boost 3-0 in its five-game slate of exhibitions ahead of the Paris Olympics. Anthony Davis finished with seven points, six rebounds and six blocks, leading the U.S. defensive effort that stunted Serbia throughout the game. Anthony Edwards scored 16 points. LeBron James added 11. Team USA led by as much as 31 points in the last of a pair of warm up matches in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The American team now travels to London to play two more matches before heading to France for the Olympics. The first will be on Saturday against South Sudan, followed by a matchup with Germany on Monday at London’s O2 Arena. The U.S. first had an uneven start before using a 16-2 run in the second quarter to take a 56-42 advantage and led 59-45 at halftime. The Serbian basketball team was propped up by performances of some of its star players. Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic scored 16 points and 11 rebounds for Serbia. Aleska Avramovic added 14 points. Serbia was appearing for its second match in two days, after losing to Australia on Tuesday where it rested captain Bogdab Bogdanovic. Wednesday’s game was a pivotal preview for the Serbians and Team U.S.A, which will both feature in Group C at the Olympics. They begin their battle for gold against each other on July 28th. After almost blowing a huge lead in its slim win over Australia on Monday, Team U.S.A was lucky enough to avoid that type of performance this time. They led by 25 after three quarters and rapidly increased that number to 30 in the final quarter.

The Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President – Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas announced on July 13th the updates below and additions within the team’s basketball operations department ahead of the 2024-24 NBA regular season. “These changes are steps toward ensuring the progress of the Bulls organization,” said Karnišovas. “We have brought in talented and well-respected people who have high standards and share our vision for success. Moreover, we have alignment and support between the front office and ownership, and we are all committed to bringing together a team that our fans can be proud of.” Wes Unseld Jr. will join the Bulls as an assistant coach after serving three seasons (2021-2024) as the head coach for the Washington Wizards. Before his time with the Wizards, Unseld was assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets (2015-21), Orlando Magic (2012-14) and Golden State Warriors (2011-12).  He started his NBA career in 1997 as an advance/pro scout with Washington before being promoted to assistant coach status with the Wizards (2005-2011). Preceding his professional coaching career, Wes played collegiately at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Dan Craig joins Chicago as an assistant coach after four seasons as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers (2020-2024), which was preceded by 17 campaigns with the Miami Heat (2003-2020). After he started his career as video intern with Miami in 2003, Craig spent 15 seasons as an assistant coach for the Heat and one season as the head coach of the team’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2015-16).  During his tenure with the Heat, Craig was part of three NBA Championship teams (2006, 2012, 2013) and was named 2015-16 G League Coach of the Year. He played college basketball at Plymouth State University before his professional coaching career started. Eric Waters, a veteran athletic trainer and in the sports performance fields, returns to the Bulls as director of player health and performance for a second stint with the team. Waters was the assistant athletic trainer from 2000-2004. Most recently, he was the head athletic trainer for the Utah Jazz (2017-24), which succeeded 12 seasons (2004-16) as head athletic trainer for the Washington Wizards.  During his time with the Wizards, Waters was named the NBA’s Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2010 by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA).  He has degrees in exercise science and psychology from the University of Iowa and a master’s in exercise science from Boise State University. Besides his daily NBA experience, Waters has also held athletic training roles for the USA Men’s National Basketball Team, the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Program and NFL Europe.  He is certified and licensed as an athletic trainer (ATC), strength and conditioning coach (CSCS), corrective exercise specialist (CES) and performance enhancement specialist (PES). John Byrant has been promoted to the front of the bench after joining the Bulls as an assistant coach in 2020. Henry Domercant will take over as an assistant coach on the second bench, transitioning from his role as head coach of the Windy City Bulls. Billy Donovan III has been promoted to head coach of the Windy City Bulls.

Kemba Walker, the all-time leading scorer in Charlotte Hornets history and four-time All-Star in his 12 NBA seasons, announced that he will be retiring from basketball on Tuesday. Walker, who played for AS Monaco in the Euroleague last campaign, spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2011 -19), two seasons with the Boston Celtics (2019-21), and one season with the New York Knicks (2012-22) and Dallas Mavericks (2022-23) in his NBA career. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Walker will join new coach Charles Lee’s staff as a player enhancement coach. In his social media post, Walker wrote: “Basketball has done more for me than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I’ve had. With that, I’m here to share that I am officially retiring from the game of basketball. “This has been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career.” The 6-foot guard was a three-time NBA All-Star for the Hornets, and then in his first season with the Celtics in 2019-20. But Walker missed valuable time recently due to knee issues. He also missed 37 matches with New York in 2021-22 and only nine matches with the Mavericks last season. Walker will retire as the Hornets’ top scorer and ranks in their top three in matches played, assists and steals. He also holds the team record for 3-pointers made and attempted, field goals made and attempted and free throws made and attempted. Kemba averaged 19.3 points for his 12-year NBA career, which came after a remarkable college career at UConn where he led the school to a 2011 national title. He was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four that year. Walker played for most of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 season, the last of five consecutive seasons where he averaged at least 20 points per game.