In the heat of competition, emotions run high, and words can carry extra weight—especially when they’re delivered by a champion like A’ja Wilson. After the U.S. women’s basketball team secured their eighth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wilson was asked to describe her teammate Kahleah Copper in one word. Without hesitation, she delivered a memorable response: “That bitch.”
Wilson’s comment came after a thrilling finish in the gold medal game against France, where Copper played a crucial role in sealing the victory for Team USA. With just 3.9 seconds left on the clock and Team USA holding a slim lead, Copper stepped up to the free-throw line and sank two critical shots. Those free throws extended the lead to three points, ultimately ensuring that Gabby Williams’ last-second shot for France, which banked in at the buzzer, was only worth two points, preserving a 67-66 win for the Americans.
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🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 pic.twitter.com/wviGF6aBJB— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 11, 2024
A Tense Final Moments
The game against France was one of the closest calls the U.S. women’s basketball team has faced in decades. The narrow victory highlighted the resilience and skill of the American squad, which has dominated women’s basketball on the Olympic stage for years. Copper’s poise under pressure was pivotal, and her contribution did not go unnoticed by her teammates, particularly Wilson.
A’ja Wilson’s Praise for Copper
Wilson’s choice of words might have raised some eyebrows, but it was a testament to the respect and admiration she has for Copper. In the postgame interview, Wilson made it clear that Copper’s performance was nothing short of clutch, and her fiery description of her teammate quickly became a talking point among fans and media alike.
Copper, who finished the game with 12 points, has been a vital part of Team USA’s success throughout the Olympics. Her ability to deliver in the most critical moments of the game underscores why she’s considered one of the best in the world.
Team USA’s Legacy in Women’s Basketball
With the victory over France, Team USA extended their Olympic winning streak to 61 games, a run that dates back to 1992. The gold medal in Paris was the program’s eighth consecutive Olympic title, further solidifying their status as the most dominant team in the history of women’s basketball.
This latest gold medal was also a significant milestone for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Games. It was their 40th gold, which tied them with China for the most gold medals overall. This marked the first time in Olympic history that two countries finished tied at the top of the gold medal count.
The Game-Changing Performance
Copper’s free throws were the defining moment of a game that tested Team USA’s resolve like few others. Gabby Williams, playing for France, nearly sent the game into overtime with a last-second shot, but her foot was on the three-point line, turning what could have been a game-tying basket into just two points.
This narrow victory against France was the closest that Team USA has come to losing an Olympic game in over 30 years. For Wilson and Copper, who were both born well after the team’s last Olympic defeat, the result was a reminder of the high stakes and intense competition at the international level.
Copper’s Olympic Heroics
Kahleah Copper’s contributions throughout the tournament, and especially in the final, have cemented her place in Olympic history. Her ability to step up when it mattered most was crucial to Team USA’s continued dominance on the world stage. Wilson’s praise, delivered with her trademark intensity, highlighted just how much Copper’s performance meant to the team.
As the final buzzer sounded, and the U.S. women’s basketball team celebrated their hard-fought victory, it was clear that this game would be remembered not just for the result, but for the individual moments of brilliance that made it possible—especially those delivered by “that bitch,” Kahleah Copper.