U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball: Predicting Stats Leaders for Team USA

For as historically dominant as the U.S. men's basketball team has been in the Summer Olympics, the women are on another level.

Since 1996, the women's U.S. team has won Olympic gold, and three times since 1998 have they taken the world title. Looking ahead to the 2012 London Games, America has every reason to believe another gold is a foregone conclusion.

So in spite of expecting a fifth consecutive first-place Olympic finish, let's predict who will lead by numbers.

Points: Candace Parker, Forward

Unsurprisingly, Candace Parker is enjoying another strong season in the WNBA and has averaged 19 points-per-game thus far in 2012.

Although she only tallied four points in the exhibition game versus Brazil and just 10 against China back in May, Parker will prove to be dominant once the games tip off. For one, her size and athleticism will make scoring look effortless when she is being guarded one-on-one.

Any double-team won't be effective either, because she can then pass the ball or utilize her quickness to split and draw fouls. Regardless, Parker will score and score at will.

Lest we forget that she earned WNBA Rookie of the Year and league MVP in 2008. Considering how much talent Parker possesses overall, she could lead in every statistical category if she wanted to.

Projection: 21.5 points-per-game

Rebounds: Sylvia Fowles, Center

Right now Sylvia Fowles is leading the WNBA by averaging 12.4 rebounds per game and we can only expect that to continue in London.

Since her rookie season in 2008, Fowles has improved her rebounding ability, which ultimately has lead to greater numbers across the boards. In the Olympics, expect Fowles to see constant mismatches because defense will want to shutdown Candace Parker.

Regardless of Parker's production, Fowles will easily use her size and leaping ability to grab any missed shot and convert second-chance opportunities. On the defensive side, she'll be the main glass breaker, because Fowles' knack for rejecting shots will force many bad shots from opponents.

Projection: 15 rebounds per game

Assists: Lindsay Whalen, Guard

Lindsay Whalen proved her ability to score effectively with 21 points against Brazil in the exhibition matchup.

The good news comes from knowing that Whalen can be a reliable scorer when needed. When the real competition begins, however, her ability to dish the rock around is what's needed more. In the frontcourt, Whalen has Candace Parker, and the backcourt has Diana Taurasi.

It doesn't matter where Whalen goes with the rock because whoever she passes it to can score at a high rate of consistency. Not to mention the fact that Whalen is also third in the WNBA right now and averages 5.4 assists per game.

When needed we can expect Whalen to score, otherwise expect her to utilize the supreme talent around her so that the U.S. rolls once again.

Projection: 11 assists per game

Field Goal Percentage: Diana Taurasi, Guard

Even though Diana Taurasi isn't one of the top leaders in the WNBA right now in terms of scoring or shooting percentage, her performance against Brazil was a solid confidence builder.

Going 6-of-12 from the field, Taurasi proved that she can still knock it down from anywhere on the floor and be quite effective.  Taurasi went 4-of-5 and totaled nine points against China earlier in the year.

She's not going to lead the team in scoring or shots attempted, but Taurasi's experience and talent alone will be enough. Every year since 2006, Taurasi has connected on at least 42 percent of her shots, so it's reasonable to suspect she'll do so in the Olympics.

Include the talent in Team USA's frontcourt, and Taurasi will see a lot of open looks from inside and beyond the perimeter.

Projection: 47.5 field goal percentage per game

Free Throw Attempts: Angel McCoughtry, F/G

Angel McCoughtry may have received less than 11 minutes of playing time against Brazil, but she still led Team USA with eight attempted free throws.

Leading into the Olympics, McCoughtry also leads the WNBA with 8.2 free-throw attempts per game. On a stronger note, she is 81.3 percent from the line and averaged 22.6 points per game in 2012.

Therefore, no matter how McCoughtry gets worked into the game, the U.S. must get her the rock to push the pace. She can drive the lane or pull up from the elbow to draw defenders and force fouls. This also takes the pressure off of Parker and Fowles, in the frontcourt, to constantly score and rebound.

As long as McCoutry remains efficient at the line, Team USA will cruise to another gold.

Projection: 11.5 free-throws attempted per game

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