PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Kevin Durant #7 of the USA Men's National Team looks on during the game during the Mens Gold Medal game at the AccorHotels Arena on August 10, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Kevin Durant #7 of the USA Men's National Team looks on during the game during the Mens Gold Medal game at the AccorHotels Arena on August 10, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Team USA, with a roster featuring elite WNBA veterans like Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, defeated France 97-79 to win the gold medal at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Following the gold medal, Kevin Durant took to social media and dropped a six-word reaction to Team USA’s win.
“This is just what we do,” the Rockets’ superstar Kevin Durant wrote proudly on his Instagram story.
The roster also featured established WNBA stars such as Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Chelsea Gray, along with young talents like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. But they all had limited contributions.
It was Breanna Stewart who stole the show and led all scorers in the gold medal game with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while going 7-for-10 from the field (70.0% FG). She finished the tournament averaging 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 56.8% from the floor.
Her performance earned her her third overall FIBA World Cup MVP award. She also won the MVP in 2018 and the U-19 FIBA World Cup MVP in 2013.
“I know what it takes to win at this level,” Stewart said at the press conference. “I have confidence in myself in those big moments that I always have a chance to win.”
“Credit to France; they are a tough team whenever we see them. But we are the standard. To win the way we do, our stats are insane, and we want to make sure we build on that and make sure the rest of the world knows that our goal is always gold,” Stewart concluded.
Kevin Durant has long supported basketball players choosing to represent the national team on the global stage. He himself is a four-time Olympic gold medalist who also won a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Cup in Turkey.
Kevin Durant Talks Team USA Return In 2028 And Post-Retirement Plans
Durant’s reaction should come as no surprise given his long-standing commitment to USA Basketball. With the Olympics approaching in 2028, Kevin Durant wants to return to the Team USA roster, despite being 39 years old and approaching 40 at the time.
“It’s just fun, man,” Durant told The Athletic. “It’s an incredible time. You get to travel the world. I don’t know if we’re gonna get to travel the world with it being in the States, but the last few years, we would go to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Paris, London, Canary Islands, Madrid”
“Being in places that changed not just my perspective about the game, but about life in general. I’ve been in places I’d never even thought about being in if it wasn’t for the game. That experience is one of the best, man. I encourage everybody to play for their country.”
Even after retirement, Kevin Durant hopes to stay in touch with Team USA and potentially look to replace Grant Hill someday as USA Basketball’s Managing Director.
Durant’s response summarized Team USA’s ongoing supremacy on the global scene. His dedication to USA Basketball is still evident as the women’s team sets yet another gold standard, and Durant hopes to make another Olympic run.
Whether as a player or a future executive, he may have a lasting impact on USA Basketball even long after his playing career.