Nothing says confidence quite like talking to the managing director of USA Basketball on the women’s side and saying that your national team will win a gold medal soon. That’s exactly what French phenom Dominque Malonga did when she appeared on Sue Bird’s podcast Bird’s Eye View on the August 14 episode.
“Historically, the French national team has been good, but we’re always like second place, third place. We really want to go get that gold medal,” Malonga said. “And I feel like this generation that’s here, it’s really the one that can bring it. So, the ambitions are high, and I think we’re just really able to bring that home.”
The last time the US didn’t win gold at the World Cup was in 2006 when Australia took the crown and Team USA finished third. Still, no team has won more gold medals than the US. Team USA also hasn’t lost out on a gold medal at the Olympics since 2004 and has dominated that competition as well. When it comes to basketball, the US has always consistently had the best talent in the world.
Nevertheless, Malonga’s take isn’t delusional at all. France is coming for the US. The French national team finished with silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, but was just one point away from the gold medal. Their talent is only continuing to get better.
Putting together a national team is always difficult because there just isn’t enough room for all the talent in the country. With France breathing down the US’s neck, Sue Bird faces a ton of pressure with Team USA and cannot afford any missteps—which explains all the veteran talent on the World Cup roster even though many fans were hoping for more young stars, particularly Olivia Miles, to get a shot.
France has a scary talent pool
France hasn’t officially announced a twelve-player roster for the World Cup in Berlin yet, but the team will be good no matter who makes it. The talent is insane. Veterans Gabby Williams, Valeriane Ayayi, and Marine Johannes were France’s leading scorers in that gold medal game. Williams now has experience as the number-one option on a top-three WNBA team, and Ayayi is gaining experience playing against US stars with the Phoenix Mercury. Moreover, Johannes is a key piece for the New York Liberty.
With Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Aliyah Boston as well as Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, and several current college stars waiting to join the mix, the US’s pool of national team talent is deep and won’t run dry. But France can match that influx of young talent.
Malonga is already an All-Star in the W at just 20. Janelle Salaün is the overwhelming favorite for Sixth Player of the Year, and Pauline Astier, Marine Fauthoux, Leila Lacan, Carla Leite, Nell Angloma, and Noemie Brochant are all improving their game in the WNBA. Alicia TournebiZe, meanwhile, is competing with the best college players since joining Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks squad.
If any squad will end Team USA’s impressive streak of World Cup and Olympic gold medals, it is the French national team.
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