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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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PARIS — Seattle Storm guard, two-time WNBA champion and six-time WNBA All-Star Jewell Loyd is the latest player sharing insight into her life on and off the court through a video diary with Andscape during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal and former G League Ignite forward Ron Holland participated in a monthly video and diary for the 2023-24 season. NBA players Draymond Green, Vince Carter, Trae Young, CJ McCollum, Fred VanVleet, De’Aaron Fox, Cade Cunningham, James Wiseman and Josh Jackson have participated in previous diaries.

In Part 3 of her video diary, Loyd talks about her different role in Paris with Team USA compared to in the WNBA, traveling with her girlfriend Téa Adams, being able to be a tourist in Paris during her downtime, her play in Game 1 against Japan, assessing Belgium going into Game 2, trading Olympic pins and more.

“It’s a mindset of you’re here and your role is different,” Loyd said. “Every time you’re on the court, the things you do help the team win, and that’s what I’m about — winning.

“It’s always interesting because your role is so different. So sometimes you can get in your head like, ‘I didn’t get enough shots, I didn’t do my job, I’m not good enough. What’s going on? Why didn’t coach play me? Why didn’t I do this?’ and all these things. Then you realize, ‘my 10 minutes, my 15 minutes, my 20 minutes, all these minutes are for us to win. That’s the end goal, to win a game.’ “

—Part 1: Jewell Loyd Olympic diary: ‘This one is going to be special’
—Part 2: Jewell Loyd Olympic diary: ‘You’re constantly reminded why you are here’

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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PARIS – Welcome to Andscape at the Olympics, a video series in which Andscape columnist William C. Rhoden, senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears and Andscape/ESPN commentator Ari Chambers discuss the key topics about Black athletes and culture at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In Episode 3, Rhoden and Spears take the conversation to a park to discuss Simone Biles’ triumph with the U.S. women’s gymnastics team winning the gold medal and the U.S. men’s gymnastics team winning the bronze medal (0:50), whether the USA Basketball teams will be threatened (2:40), what events they’re interested in and have seen in their spare time (10:42) and which sports that aren’t in the Olympics should be added to the Games (14:30).

–Episode 2: Andscape at the Olympics: Talking US women’s sports from Simone Biles to Sha’Carri Richardson
–Episode 1: Andscape at the Olympics: Talking USA Basketball, opening ceremony

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQN, France – Duke University’s incoming freshmen are preparing for move-in day Aug. 17. As for 17-year-old Khaman Maluach, he is busy as the youngest competitor in men’s basketball in the 2024 Paris Olympics while playing for a historic South Sudan team.

Maluach was born on Sept. 14, 2006, in Rumbek, Sudan, now South Sudan. The 7-foot-2 center is the youngest basketball player — the next oldest player is nearly three years player is Bilal Coulibaly of France, born July 26, 2004, of the Washington Wizards. Chinese skateboarder Zheng Haohao is the Games’ youngest competitor at 11 years and 11 months.

“To me, this whole experience is sometimes feels like I’m living in a dream at 17 years old. Big dreams. And I’m just a small-town kid chasing big dreams in the big city,” Maluach told Andscape after South Sudan upset Puerto Rico 90-79 on Sunday.

South Sudan is the youngest nation in the Olympics. It gained independence from Sudan following a referendum in 2011. The split came after years of war between Sudan and what now is South Sudan over a shared border and natural resources. With the guidance and financial aid of former NBA star Luol Deng, South Sudan’s men’s basketball qualified for the Olympics for the first time this year despite not having one indoor basketball court.

Like many of his teammates, Maluach is a refugee of South Sudan. His family fled the conflict-ridden country when he was a child and moved to Uganda. The South Sudan men’s basketball team’s first appearance in the Olympic Games was tarnished before it started when the wrong national anthem was played before its opener against Puerto Rico. The East African nation, however, recovered to make history, winning in front of nearly 27,000 fans at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. Maluach’s mother and other family members from Kampala, Uganda, attended the game.

“To me, it’s a big thing for my family. Being able to come see me, to come watch me play,” Maluach said. “I’ve only dreamt about them leaving the country and seeing me on a big stage like this.

“Right now, we’re going to celebrate our win, be grateful for our first Olympic game and our first win. So, I’m going to celebrate until 12 midnight. We put this game aside and get ready for the next game.”

The next game for Maluach and South Sudan is against the United States, the defending gold medalists from the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021, on Wednesday.

Team USA has four consecutive gold medals at the Olympics dating back to 2008. South Sudan proved that it wasn’t just a pushover program as it narrowly lost 101-100 in an exhibition game against Team USA in London on July 21. South Sudan was up by as many as 16 points before missing a buzzer-beater for the win.

While Maluach is projected to be an NBA player, the chance to play the Americans twice is a great learning experience for him.

“It’s really different because I’ve been seeing all these people, watching them on TV and the NBA playoffs,” Maluach said. “I stayed up late nights in Africa to watch. I watched LeBron [James]. The NBA Bubble [in Orlando in 2020]. I watched Joel Embiid. Me being on the same floor with those guys was a different feeling. I was like, ‘Dreams really come true.’ Me playing against Joel Embiid and LeBron James, I always looked up to those guys.”

Maluach scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting and grabbed two rebounds in six minutes of action against Puerto Rico before being benched in the second half. South Sudan coach Royal Ivey, a Houston Rockets assistant coach, is being patient with the teenager who he believes is the future face of South Sudan basketball.

“He is our second big. Our backup big,” Ivey said of Maluach after the game against Puerto Rico. “I wanted to inject him early to see what he gave us, see if he could help us with rebounding. Just think about it, he’s 17 years old. He’s learning against grown men. Some days he has good days. Some days, not so good. He is still in the rotation. I believe in him.

“He’s a talent. In five years, this is going to be his team. I got to throw him out there and put him in the fiery moments. When he makes mistakes, I have to pull him as a coach. He’s OK and he will be fine the next game.”

“My role obviously changes game to game depending on the size and the talent. Whatever it takes for my team to win, I’ll do that. It doesn’t matter,” Maluach said.

The NBA Academy Africa successfully recruited Maluach at age 14 in 2021 after one of its scouts watched him during an outdoor workout in Uganda. The academy is an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal, that opened in November 2018 for the top male and female prospects from Africa. Maluach, the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Africa MVP, also played three seasons in the NBA-sanctioned Basketball Africa League.

Maluach was on South Sudan’s roster when it qualified for the Olympics during the 2023 World Cup after finishing as the top African team. He also represented South Sudan in April at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, a showcase game of top American high school players versus top international teens.

“The entire African continent is excited and proud to follow South Sudan’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” BAL president Amadou Fall told Andscape. “It is great to see Khaman again, after being the youngest player at the FIBA World Cup last summer. He is the perfect example of what’s possible now in Africa with the pathway we’ve established, from grassroots to elite.

“He was a young raw talent at age 14, through the NBA Academy Africa and the BAL Elevate program, now on the biggest global sporting stage with his South Sudan National team. We also commend the remarkable work our NBA legend and BAL ambassador Luol Deng has done in building this world-class basketball program.”

With a 7-4.5 wingspan and 9-8 standing reach, Duke is adding Maluach to a top-ranked 2024 class that includes 2024 No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg. Maluach plans to return to Durham, North Carolina, immediately after the Olympics for school and basketball, but until then he will continue to enjoy this hoop experience as a teenager with lots of room to grow.

“This whole experience to me, it’s been like a movie,” Maluach said. “It was the same with the World Cup, because it’s been a lot of stuff in just a small amount of years. Two years of experiencing a lot, and to me, stuff goes by quicker every time I think about it. I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m in this place and it’s a big experience.’

“I went outside there [at the arena] and I saw the crowd and I got chills. I was kind of nervous. I was like, ‘Wow, this is what it’s all about.’ It’s been a great experience so far.”

“It’s an incredible experience for a 17-year-old. He’s the heart and soul of this team. The court jester. He’s one of the funniest guys on the team. He’s so lighthearted, so innocent. He doesn’t even know what is happening half of the time. And once he gets that fire in his heart, he is going to be a really good player,” Ivey said.

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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PARIS — Seattle Storm guard, two-time WNBA champion and six-time WNBA All-Star Jewell Loyd is the latest player sharing insight into her life on and off the court through a video diary with Andscape during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal and former G League Ignite forward Ron Holland participated in a monthly video and diary for the 2023-24 season. NBA players Draymond Green, Vince Carter, Trae Young, CJ McCollum, Fred VanVleet, De’Aaron Fox, Cade Cunningham, James Wiseman and Josh Jackson have participated in previous diaries.

In Part 2 of her video diary, Loyd talks about arriving in Paris for the Olympic Games, appreciating the Olympics and reminders of Team USA’s goals, the excitement of meeting other Olympic athletes, the rain at the opening ceremony and preparing for the first game against Japan on Monday.

Loyd also talked about what happens when hunger struck athletes during the walk after the opening ceremony, and how USA men’s basketball forward LeBron James led the way to a restaurant.

“Luckily, LeBron found a place where there was a little food, so we all followed him,” Loyd said. “Out of nowhere, all of us just show up. Imagine you just being a normal worker, minding your own business, and you just see LeBron, Devin Booker, Stewie [Breanna Stewart], A’ja [Wilson], everyone just walking in.

“For us, we were drenched, we were cold, we were hungry. It’s just another reminder of regardless of how soggy my shirt is, and my socks are wet and all these things, this is why I’m here and I’m going to compete and play at a high level. Besides all that and the chaos, you’re constantly reminded why you are here.”

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France – USA Basketball star forward A’ja Wilson plans to attend Olympic track and field and gymnastics competitions when she has downtime during the 2024 Paris Olympics. During her quest for a second gold medal, her family and friends will be rooting for her in person.

Wilson and USA Basketball won a gold medal when the team played in the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic until July 23, 2021. Family members and fans weren’t allowed to attend games. All of that has changed now that the restrictions are gone.

“It sucked because obviously we did the opening ceremony and there was just no one there,” Wilson said recently. “Obviously, you would love to see your family and things like that. But at the same time, it’s business as usual. We had to go out there and take care of business. So, that’s what we’re going to do as well. I’m just glad that my family’s going to be there to support me now.

“I’m definitely going to other sports. Going to other events is huge. I really want to be there. [In 2021] It was like, I’m in the Olympics but I’m still watching it through a TV screen, which was weird. So, going to different events is definitely something that’s No. 1 on my list.”

Wilson is now the No.1 face when it comes to USA Basketball’s women’s team.

Since Wilson’s last Olympic appearance, she had led her Las Vegas Aces to championships in 2022 and 2023. The two-time WNBA MVP and six-time WNBA All-Star won an ESPY award for best athlete, women’s sports in July and is averaging 27.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 steals for the Aces this season.

“She always leads by example,” U.S. center Brittney Griner said. “She always puts in the hard work. She is going to do everything that is asked of her and beyond. When you have someone like that, it’s easy to follow behind them and come, show up and do what we need to do. She plays at such a high level. I’m happy for her.”

The USA Basketball women’s national team is widely expected to win an eighth-straight gold medal with a roster loaded with WNBA stars. The U.S. roster also includes five-time Olympian Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Alyssa Thomas and Sabrina Ionescu, among others. The Americans debut Monday against Japan in group play.

“We’re going to go out there and do what we do,” Wilson said. “I love our locker room and who we have in it. We’re going to uphold the standards that has been going on for years now. We’re going for [our] eighth-straight. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Olympics also give Wilson and her teammates an opportunity to grow their brand globally. Wilson currently has 1.1 million followers on Instagram, and the two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year’s book Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You is a New York Times bestseller. The 6-foot-4 forward is also one of four WNBA players with a signature shoe deal and her shoe will be released by Nike in 2025.

“It’s always a blessing to be an Olympian,” Wilson said. “I’ve been alongside USAB for a long time. So, to see my evolution of A’ja grow within USAB has been a blessing. There is a lot of honor and respect to being an Olympian and to play at the highest level under the biggest lights.”

Wilson is also looking forward to seeing two people in particular in France this time around: her parents, Roscoe and Eva Wilson.

“They didn’t get a chance to Tokyo, obviously, with COVID going on,” Wilson said. “So, just for them being in moment and their child being in the bright lights of the world … I remember sitting down with my parents and seeing [most-decorated Olympic gold medalist] Michael Phelps go for a hundredth of a second [on television]. That stuff are the moments that we shared.

“Now, for them to come over is a lot of fun. I’m going to have put AirTags on them because I don’t know where they are going to be.”

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France – USA Basketball forward Kevin Durant was recently told that Spencer Haywood was playfully bitter about him breaking his Olympic scoring average record with USA Basketball men’s senior national team.

Durant told Andscape with a smile, “Spencer will be all right. Records are meant to be broken. Somebody is going to take mine, too.”

By the way Durant played with USA Basketball in its Olympic-opening 110-84 win over Serbia on Sunday night, his scoring records with USA Basketball do not appear to have a chance to be broken anytime soon. The four-time Olympian did not appear in any of five exhibition games the U.S. played before the Games due to a calf injury. Coming off the bench against Serbia, however, Durant was nearly perfect for the U.S. He made 8-of-9 field goal attempts and all five 3-point attempts for a game-high 23 points.

“Oh, man, [the miss] felt great leaving my hands. I definitely wanted to finish the game perfect,” Durant said afterward.

Durant is the No. 1 scorer in USA Basketball history with 435 points through 23 Olympic contests, including a men’s record 156 during the 2012 London Olympics. Haywood held the U.S. Olympic record of 145 total points set during the 1968 Mexico City Games. Durant holds the men’s USA Basketball’s record for points per game during the Olympics, 19.8. He also scored 205 points in nine games for the U.S. gold-medal World Cup team in 2010.

Although forward Kawhi Leonard was removed from the U.S. roster during training camp in Las Vegas, U.S. coach Steve Kerr never wavered on Durant being part of the team as he missed exhibition games. Durant said he felt good enough to return to action after scrimmaging 5-on-5 on Friday in Paris.

“I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to have another chance at a gold,” Durant told Andscape. “I knew so many great players were going to commit, too. So, I wanted to be around those guys as well. You out with the best of the best of the best coaches. It’s incredible. I just want to be able to be on the floor, man. Be out there with the guys …

“You got the best of the best in here. You’re getting better every day. You get to travel the world. That’s one of the best experiences in basketball.”

2024 NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and Serbia jumped out to a 10-2 lead over the U.S. Durant entered the game with 2:33 left in the first quarter with U.S. down 19-14 while Jokić was at free-throw line. Durant has only come off the bench three times in 17 NBA seasons.

Durant showed no rust, nailing his first shot — a 3-pointer 17 seconds after checking in. He had 21 points on 8-of-8 shooting in the first half. Durant vaulted the U.S. to a 58-49 halftime lead after he scored 15 points in the second quarter.

“The second group came in and gave us a big lift. KD was phenomenal. It’s almost like he never missed a beat, a practice, a game or anything. That was a good start for us,” U.S. forward LeBron James said.

“KD was unbelievable in the first half and gave us a big boost,” U.S. guard Stephen Curry said.

Durant didn’t miss until his ninth and final field goal attempt. He was applauded by the projected 27,000 fans at a packed Pierre Mauroy Stadium when he exited the game in the fourth quarter. Durant told Andscape afterward that his body felt good.

Next up for the U.S. is South Sudan on Wednesday. Durant added that he has no issues coming off the bench.

“I told Coach that whatever he needs me to do, I’ll adapt to anything,” Durant said after the game. “It’s always been fun trying to adapt to new roles and what the game is trying to tell me to do.”

USA Basketball’s players echoed the fans’ sentiments about Durant.

“He showed me why he’s my favorite player of all time,” U.S. guard Anthony Edwards said.

“If you watch him in practice, it’s at game speed. There is no surprise that he comes right out and gets back to it,” James said.

“Nothing he does is surprising. He shot perfect in the first half. What did he have? Twenty-one. It’s special. He is so used to this stage. He’s the all-time leading scorer in USAB for a reason,” Curry said.

Curry and Durant exchanged a warm embrace before the game. The two are reunited on USA Basketball for the first time since winning two titles and making three NBA Finals together with the Golden State Warriors. Curry and Durant also dined together in Las Vegas during training camp.

“We definitely, definitely, definitely did talk about some good times that we had together,” Durant told Andscape. “[Curry is] Just an incredible human being. [I’m] Getting to spend some time with him on a deeper level. I’m looking forward to getting to know these dudes on a deeper level already.”

The USA Basketball men’s and women’s senior national teams are playing their preliminary games in the Lille area. They are staying in Lille the night before games. The teams primarily reside in a hotel in Paris, where they practice and will presumably be playing in the quarterfinals on Aug. 6 (men’s) or Aug. 7 (women’s). Durant has been to Paris before, but this was his first time in Lille.

“I’m excited about being in Paris. Always loved France in general, the culture. So anytime I get to visit a new spot, new city, I’m down,” Durant said.

Durant is seeking his record fourth Olympic medal with heavily favored USA Basketball.

So, what carries more weight to Durant, a gold medal or NBA championship?

“You don’t compare them. It’s two different things,” Durant told Andscape. “It’s two different mountains you got to climb. It’s high peaks in both of them. So obviously, in our world, an NBA championship is more respected. But in some parts of the world, the Olympic level is more respected.

“So, I value both because winning is important. So, I love my USA Basketball family and we will see if we can go get another one.”

Sunday’s win against Serbia was Durant’s first since the last day of the regular season. Durant dismissed the notion that playing for the U.S. was a reprieve from the stress of playing for the underachieving Suns last season with USA Basketball guard Devin Booker and Suns guard Bradley Beal. Durant and the Suns have reason for optimism after adding point guard Tyus Jones, point guard Monte Morris and veteran coach Mike Budenholzer in the offseason.

“I’m excited about the season, Bud, his staff, our team,” Durant told Andscape. “We’re getting another year to just get comfortable with one another. Also, we have been underestimated so far this summer since the season ended with a sweep. We deserve to be underestimated as a team, but I’d like that we’ll be able to play a more chip on our shoulders coming in here next [season] to prove some people different.”

Durant’s record statistics with USA Basketball have made him the greatest American to wear the uniform. And the Seat Pleasant, Maryland, native said he has “never had more pride” than now in his fourth Olympics.

“I love representing the United States,” Durant told Andscape. “You go around the world and you talk to people from different countries and you see how interested they are to know what our culture is like in the United States.

“So many people actually want to move to the United States, so we’re very respected around the world. Also very hated, too. But for the most part, we just try to go out there and represent your country and where you come from to the best of your abilities and your family.”

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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PARIS – Welcome to Andscape at the Olympics, a video series in which Andscape columnist William C. Rhoden, senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears and Andscape/ESPN commentator Ari Chambers discuss the key topics about Black athletes and culture at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In Episode 2, the crew gathers at Le Gramont to give their take on the opening ceremony (0:45), the vibe surrounding women’s sports at the Games from gymnast Simone Biles making even more history to rapper Flavor Flav supporting women’s water polo (9:08) and the racial tone of France toward Black people (11:57). Then they turn their attention to the state of the 5×5 USA women’s basketball team (15:20), the Caitlin Clark and Team USA (16:20), 3×3 basketball (18:25), Black men in gymnastics (20:10), and the outlook for USA men’s and women’s basketball (21:25). Finally, they conclude by discussing what Chambers is looking forward to in women’s track and field, including sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson (24:59) and more.

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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PARIS – Welcome to Andscape at the Olympics, a video series in which Andscape columnist William C. Rhoden, senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears and Andscape/ESPN commentator Ari Chambers will discuss the key topics about Black athletes and culture at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In Episode 1, Rhoden and Spears talk about arriving in Paris for the start of the Games and beginning the series at Cafe Tournon, where Black American writers and artists such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin and cartoonist Ollie Harrington came to converse and find community in the 1950s.

The two discuss why Black American artists and writers flocked to France and the welcoming feeling of Paris to Black people (1:01), the chances of the USA Basketball men’s and women’s teams losing in Paris (5:30) and what they’re looking forward to and writing about in Paris, including the opening ceremony, Black gymnasts, breaking, 3×3 basketball (10:10).

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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LILLE, France – Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert and the French men’s national team play their first game of the Olympics as host nation Saturday against Brazil. Two interesting omissions from the French roster are the 2024 NBA draft’s top two picks: Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher and Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr.

“Surprised? No. I wasn’t surprised that I’m not there,” Risacher said the day before the Hawks selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft on June 26. “I wanted to be on the team. That was a goal from the beginning of the season. But I didn’t make it … I have good things coming up with the draft and everything. I’m happy to be there in the NBA and I have some [years] to realize my dream.

“I wanted to be on the national team, especially for the Olympics in Paris. That would be great. But that is not going to happen. But I’m not mad. I’m just living the great life of a basketball player. Why can I be mad?”

So why didn’t Risacher and Sarr get picked?

Several NBA executives told Andscape it’s par for the course that lottery picks don’t play for their national teams during the summer when they get selected in the NBA draft. Memphis Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey, drafted ninth overall, wasn’t selected to play for the Canadian national team at the Olympics but played for his new team in summer league action. French men’s basketball team coach Vincent Collet explained the omission of Risacher and Sarr from his standpoint to Andscape.

“I knew they would get drafted very high and our Olympic committee imposes us to give the final roster before [the] 7th of July, which meant we couldn’t see them before giving the final roster,” Collet told Andscape. “They are very good and could make the team in another situation. But we couldn’t select them without seeing them.

“It wouldn’t be fair for others. They will be part of the French basketball upside.”

Collet coached Wembanyama with Paris Metropolitans 92 during the 2022-23 French Pro A season. But Wembanyama didn’t play for the French national team during World Cup play in 2023. The 7-foot-4 center was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs and played two games on their summer league team instead. Not playing for France last summer also gave Wembanyama an opportunity to adjust to the Spurs and San Antonio.

The 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, a league-high 3.6 blocked shots and 1.2 steals last season. Washington Wizards forward Bilal Coulibaly also didn’t play for France during the 2023 World Cup but is on the Olympic roster now. Coulibaly averaged 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists as a rookie with Washington last season and is expected to have a bright future with the franchise.

“It would not be realistic in terms of development and not careful in terms of health,” Wembanyama told L’Equipe in 2023 about his decision to miss FIBA World Cup. “I hope people will understand. It’s frustrating for me too. The France team is still my focus. I want to win as many titles as possible with it. But I think it’s a necessary sacrifice.”

Perhaps being away from the Olympics could be a good thing for Risacher and Sarr, since both struggled at the NBA 2K Summer League recently in Las Vegas.

In two games, Risacher averaged 14.5 points (39.3% shooting, missed 12 of 16 3-point shots), 5.0 rebounds and 2 assists in 29.5 minutes per game. In four games, Sarr averaged 5.5 points and missed 38 of 47 field goal attempts (including 15 of 17 3-point attempts) while averaging 7.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Now, they can adjust to their new NBA towns and teams while watching France on television.

“Every day is kind of new,” Risacher said. “A new experience. That is what made the [draft] process exciting. I’m still discovering a new country, new cities. And that is special, too …

“My first year it’s going to be important to do whatever coach asks me to fit on the team. I think that is the advantage I will have on everybody.”

The next Olympic Games are 2028 in Los Angeles. While USA Basketball is always laden with top NBA talent, French basketball will be expected to be a medal contender as well with the possibility of young talent like Wembanyama, Coulibaly, Sarr, Risacher, Olivier Sarr and two rookies drafted in the 2024 first round, Tidjane Salaün and Pacôme Dadiet.

“We should be amongst the best teams and other players are coming,” Collet said.

“It’s amazing to see how we are growing as a nation,” Risacher said.

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Andscape at the Olympics is an ongoing series exploring the Black athletes and culture around the 2024 Paris Games.

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Seattle Storm guard, two-time WNBA champion and six-time WNBA All-Star Jewell Loyd is the latest player sharing insight into her life on and off the court through a video diary with Andscape during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal and former G League Ignite forward Ron Holland participated in a monthly video and diary for the 2023-24 season. NBA players Draymond Green, Vince Carter, Trae Young, CJ McCollum, Fred VanVleet, De’Aaron Fox, Cade Cunningham, James Wiseman and Josh Jackson have participated in previous diaries.

In Part 1 of her video diary, Loyd talks about growing up outside of Chicago in Lincolnwood, Illinois, how at first basketball was her break from playing tennis, the origins of her nickname “Gold Mamba” from the late Kobe Bryant, how his death in 2020 changed her forever, how she’s handled success, her free agency plan and returning to the Storm, and representing Team USA in a true Olympic setting after the COVID-19 restricted Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“It [playing basketball] started with [,…] I just want to be better than my brother, and it turned into, ‘OK, I’ve made some history here. How can I also serve people as well?’ ” Loyd said.

“Your whole life you dream of being an Olympian. For me, when I quit tennis, my two goals were to win a WNBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. I feel like this will be my first real Olympics, to feel the pressure of the fans, to feel the vibe of the city. Now, the basketball gets more exciting. This one is going to be special.”