Minneapolis, MN

— The women's USA basketball team is set to face Japan in their opening match of the Paris Olympics on Monday. Player Napheesa Collier expressed her excitement about representing Team USA, calling it a significant milestone in her life. "It's such an honor... to play for the Olympics specifically," she stated, highlighting her eagerness to experience the full Olympic atmosphere alongside her family and to attend other sporting events. Collier emphasized the importance of team chemistry, which the squad has had to develop quickly. Drawing on her experience playing under head coach Cheryl Reeve with the Minnesota Lynx, she aims to be a valuable asset to her teammates. "I can help the other players too because I know what she's looking for," Collier noted, indicating her readiness to contribute to the team's success. The athlete also shared her personal motivation, mentioning her 2-year-old daughter, Mila, who will be cheering for her in Paris. Collier is committed to surrounding Mila with strong role models, stating, "Something I'm really looking forward to is Mila growing up in front of such powerful, strong, successful women." As the competition in women's sports intensifies, Collier acknowledged the challenges ahead. "The level of competition has risen so much... I'm really excited to kind of rise to that challenge," she said, affirming the team's goal of winning gold at the Olympics.