USA vs. France Women's Basketball Gold Medal Game: American Stars Who Will Shine

The United States women’s basketball team is one win away from its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, and several American players will put on epic performances to ensure a victory over France.

The U.S. women have won 40 straight games at the Olympics. And during the London tournament, they have won their contests by an average of 34 points, according to NBCMiaimi.com.

This projects to be a lopsided matchup. With gold so close to these women’s fingertips, there will be no lack of motivation. 

Here are the players to keep an eye on during the gold medal game.

Note: all statistics courtesy of USABasketball.com. 

Diana Taurasi 

USA’s leading scorer is a dynamic offensive player capable of making plays that no other woman on the court can pull off.

When Taurasi drives to the basket, she often shows flares of instinctive genius, twisting and turning around defenders to finish in spectacular fashion. Opponents must be wary of fouling her, as she has missed just one of her 23 free throws in the tournament.

Taurasi is averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from three-point range.

The 30-year-old is a leader and is the most skilled player in the game every time she takes the court. Taurasi is the player most likely to star in the gold-medal game.

Tina Charles

Charles has dominated down low for the Americans throughout the tournament.

The 23-year-old center has put on a clinic with her post moves, averaging 11.4 points per game. At 6’4”, she has also been a dominant force on the boards, leading the team with 8.1 rebounds per game. 

The United States physically dominates every other team in the tournament, and Charles leads that charge. There is simply no player on the French team capable of containing her.

Look for the Americans to toss the ball to their star center early and often.

Maya Moore

Moore was a sensation during her college career at Connecticut. Then she took the WNBA by storm and won the Rookie of the Year award. Now it is time for her to show her talent off to the world.

The 23-year-old has been averaging 9.4 points per game on 46 percent shooting. Her dribbling skills and athleticism make her capable of dominating a game on any night.

But Moore also chips in on defense and on the glass. Few players can impact the game in so many different ways. 

The United States has come to count on her for quality all-around performances, and the championship game will be no different.

Candace Parker 

A tip of the hat is in order for Angel McCoughtry—who is averaging 11.4 points on 64.4 percent shooting off the bench—but Parker is the most talented player on the team.

At 6’4”, Parker is remarkably skilled for her size. She is the women’s team’s equivalent to LeBron James, as she can play any position on the court.

She is averaging 9.0 points and 7.3 rebounds, and she leads the team with nine blocks during the tournament. 

Parker is a phenom who cannot be guarded because of her size and versatility. Her willingness to contribute to the team’s defensive and rebounding efforts makes her a star, and she will continue to shine in the Americans' final match.