"Attitude!" - A'ja Wilson shows love to Rhyne Howard after Team USA clinches 3x3 women's Olympics bronze
A'ja Wilson showed some love to Rhyne Howard on social media after she won the bronze with Team USA's 3x3 women's basketball team. Howard was a key factor in the United States' win over Canada in the bronze medal game, but some were disappointed by their third-place finish.
In a post on Instagram stories, Wilson shared a video of Howard after the podium ceremony. The Las Vegas Aces superstar was touching the Atlanta Dream guard's bronze medal before saying:
"Attitude!"
The two WNBA stars were joking with each other, with Rhyne Howard ready to return and prepare for the second half of the season. Howard and the Atlanta Dream are ninth in the standings and need a huge bounceback to make the postseason.
Rhyne Howard takes home bronze medal on Olympic debut
It was not a poor debut for Rhyne Howard, one of the future stars of Team USA. She struggled early in the 3x3 women's tournament before the team got their rhythm to go 6-1 after a 0-3 start. The Americans lost their first three games before winning five straight before losing in the semifinals.
The United States were stopped in their tracks by Spain but got a podium finish after beating Canada. Howard, the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year, should be ready for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as part of the 5x5 team.
Howard is one of the best young players in the league. However, she will have a short rest before returning to the Atlanta Dream's preparations for the WNBA season restart. The Dream take on the Seattle Storm on Aug. 16 at home to start the second half of the campaign.
A'ja Wilson, Team USA ready to win gold medal again
Team USA is the favorite to take home the gold medal in the women's basketball tournament. They have not lost in 58 games and will likely take home another gold for the seventh consecutive Olympics.
A'ja Wilson, along with Breanna Stewart, is in the middle of the Americans' quest for Olympic success. Wilson is having a great season in the WNBA, and it has carried over in Paris. They won their group and were one of just two teams to finish 3-0.
In the quarterfinals, Team USA will go up against the upstart Nigeria, the first African team to make the knockout rounds. If they get past Nigeria, the Americans face a matchup versus the winner of the Serbia-Australia matchup.
The other side of the bracket consists of France, Germany, Spain and Belgium. The knockout rounds start on August 7 at the Accor Arena in Paris.