Paris Olympics are time to shine for Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson: 'We know what's at stake'

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PARIS — Because it’s her sixth Olympics, Diana Taurasi has a lot of wisdom to share about, well, everything. Her teammates are eager to listen, too.

And yet it’s a couple other Olympic veterans, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, who know they need to speak up more this time around – because now, Taurasi has told them, this is their team.

Stewart, 29, and Wilson, 27, are playing in their third and second Olympics, respectively. They are widely considered the two top players in the world: Between the two of them they’ve won four of the past six WNBA MVP awards, with Wilson heavily favored to win her third this season, and they’re expected to be the foundation of USA Basketball in the coming years.

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Before she traveled to Paris, Wilson told USA TODAY Sports that these Games felt different from the second the team was named, partially because of the anticipated atmosphere – fans are back after not being allowed in Tokyo – and because it feels like "the whole world is tuned in us (women’s basketball)."

But there are other differences, too.

"When I think about me and Stewie, we grew up as the young guns in this," Wilson said. "We were the ones looking at people talking in the huddles. And now, of course, we have DT but even she is like, 'No you guys, I’m trusting y’all.' I think that’s the biggest difference, is understanding that now we’re the leaders and we’re the ones who have to go out there and say, 'This is the standard and we’re going to uphold it every single possession.'

"To go from being a young girl who was just kind of happy to be here to now being the one who’s like, no, you’re here for a reason. I’m excited to take on that role."

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The Americans are going for their eighth consecutive gold, which would be an Olympic record in a team sport. They open pool play Monday vs. Japan at 3 p.m. ET.

While Wilson is known for being a passionate, outspoken leader – her tearful postgame news conference where she talked about wanting to be known as a great leader even more so than a great player went viral after a Las Vegas Aces loss to the New York Liberty on June 15 — Stewart is considerably more reserved and stoic. But even if she’s not demonstrative on the court, she knows when it’s time to speak up. 

"I think it’s a mixture of both," Stewart said. "It’s leading by my play but also feeling comfortable to say something to my teammates."

The roster this summer is an interesting mix of veterans and newbies. Alyssa Thomas (32 years old), Kahleah Copper (29) and Sabrina Ionescu (26) will all make their Olympic debut, while Kelsey Plum (29) and Jackie Young (26) are playing five-on-five for the first time; they won a gold medal in Tokyo in 3x3. With the exception of Thomas, that group, plus Stewart, Wilson and 27-year-old Napheesa Collier, is expected to be the nucleus of U.S. women’s basketball over the next decade. Thirty-year old Jewell Loyd and 31-year-old Chelsea Gray fall somewhere in the middle. Their continued play internationally will likely depend, more than anything, on their ability to stay healthy.

"In Rio, I was the rookie, I was the young one just taking it all in," Stewart recalled. "My second one (in Tokyo), I had more national experience than probably most the players on the team, and now with his one, it’s an honor and pleasure share the court with Dee … but A’ja and I know what’s at stake, and we have to take ownership of that."

In terms of Taurasi’s longevity in the sport, the 42-year-old admitted Saturday that "it’s hard to let go" of something she still loves deeply and excels at; her 16.1 points per game through 21 WNBA games this season ranks 17th best in the league.

Still, she knows her role has changed, and she’s OK with that, saying it’s "exciting when you get to play on these teams with the two best players in the world."

Sometimes she can't help but slip back to her old ways. After Team USA lost to the WNBA All-Stars on 117-109 on July 21, it was Taurasi who galvanized the huddle, telling the Americans they have to come out ready for every single game. Her message has been the same, to her teammates, the media and fans: Winning the last seven doesn’t guarantee anything this go-round.

And that’s been heard by everyone. Because even if it’s time for Stewart and Wilson to speak up more, they’re always going to respect their elders first.

"If Dee’s talking," Stewart said, "we’re all going to listen."

Email Lindsay Schnell at [email protected] and follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell