After an instant classic, the US women’s national team has won eight consecutive Olympic gold medals.
In the gold medal match against hosts France, Team USA trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half but was able to close the gap and win by one point. The victory would not have been possible without the efforts of Kahleah Copper.
Copper, who made her Olympic debut in 2024, stepped up for Team USA at the crucial moment, providing big moments in the fourth quarter in a one-point victory that was decided in the final seconds.
As Copper and Team USA take home the gold medal and continue their dynastic run, we take a closer look at their amazing performance on world track and field’s biggest stage.
MORE: Team USA wins eighth consecutive Olympic gold in classic thriller
How Kahleah Copper’s decisive second half saved the USA in the gold medal game
Copper finished the game with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes of play. To understand the significance of Copper’s performance, it’s important to look beyond the numbers and look at the moments when she stood out.
First, Copper scored 10 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter. When you consider that Team USA scored 20 points in the final period, the math shows that Copper scored half of the team’s points in a crucial quarter where every point was necessary.
Copper was the main player at the free throw line, sinking all six of her free throw attempts in the fourth quarter, including the two shots with less than five seconds left that ultimately decided the game for the U.S. team.
Legendary coach Dawn Staley, who like Copper is from North Philadelphia, was generous with her praise for her fellow Philadelphians after the game.
“She has a new name,” Staley told NBC’s Maria Taylor after the game. “It’s not North Philly, it’s Ice Philly because she put the game on ice.”
In addition to her ability to get to the line and convert, Copper’s layup with 5:09 left in the fourth quarter put Team USA ahead by two points, and her layup with 79 seconds left extended the team’s lead to three points.
A’ja Wilson led the US team throughout the tournament and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Olympics. In the gold medal game, it was Wilson and Copper who led the US team to the promised land.
What A’ja said. pic.twitter.com/S5LAjku0BA
— WNBA (@WNBA) 11 August 2024
Wilson echoed her college coach’s sentiments and took the NSFW route when asked to describe Copper in one word, as she’s used to stepping in at the most important moments.
Copper can now add the gold medal to her resume, which already includes WNBA Champion and WNBA Finals MVP.
At 29 years old, Ice Philly has accomplished just about everything, and the history books will remember Copper’s contributions for everyone who watched the 2024 women’s basketball gold medal game in Paris.
