A podium finish in the Olympics.
Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream represented her country as a member of the USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team during the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. Despite suffering a nasty ankle turn in June that threatened her status for this event, she was able to suit up in July and August and contribute to a team looking to bring home a gold medal for the United States.
Along with Los Angeles Spark Dearica Hamby, former WNBA player Cierra Burdick, and collegiate player Hailey Van Lith, the team faced stiff international competition in the greatest showcase of every four-year cycle.
Unfortunately, the team got off to an inauspicious start, dropping their first three games in group play to Germany, Azerbaijan, and Australia in order. But the top six teams in the eight team pool advanced to the knockout stage, so hope was never completely lost after their rough start.
The US rattled off wins against Spain, France, Canada and China to finish 4-3 in group play and advance to the play-in section of the tournament. Against Canada, Howard had maybe her finest performance of the competition, recording seven points and a rebound including the game-winning two-point shot.
The team then battled China in a play-in game to determine who advanced to the semifinal. Team USA was never really challenged in this one, taking a 21-13 win in regulation to secure a chance to fight for the medal places. Howard logged five points and a rebound in this one.
On Monday, the team faced a semifinal game against Spain. Team USA forced overtime but unfortunately fell 18-16 to the eventual silver medal winners. Rhyne Howard posted three points and two rebounds in this contest.
Still, the US managed to rebound (no pun intended) and put forth a good effort in the consolation bronze medal battle against the Canadian 3×3 team. Rhyne Howard and the US pulled out a close one on Monday afternoon, 16-13 to land themselves on the podium with Germany and Spain.
“It’s just great,” Howard said after the bronze medal game. “To be able to put on for a city that loves you so much. I know that they’re proud regardless of the outcome that we have and being able to get this here and go back to them, to that fanbase, to Atlanta, it’s great. It’s a great feeling. And I know I’m going to be super happy when I get home.”
With the win, Howard became the first Dream player to medal in the Olympics since Angel McCoughtry in 2016. She joins her teammates Allisha Gray and Tina Charles and Olympic medalists on the current Dream roster.
Congratulations to Rhyne Howard for bringing home bronze!