Paris Olympics: Angel Reese, Barack Obama and others react to US women’s gold against France: ‘A VICTORY IS A VICTORY’

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Team USA fans are breathing a sigh of relief after the U.S. women’s basketball team defeated France 67-66 in a fiercely competitive gold medal game. Those fans include not only former President Barack Obama, but also current and future WNBA players who were elated (and probably more than a little relieved) to see their teammates and friends take home gold.

The former president is known to be a huge basketball fan, so it was no surprise when he congratulated the team on their victory and continuing their Olympic dynasty.

Angel Reese, who plays for the Chicago Sky and was part of the WNBA All-Star team that defeated Team USA during All-Star Weekend, was thrilled to see it and pointed out that it doesn’t matter what happens during the game because the victory looks the same no matter what.

UConn star and future WNBA player Paige Bueckers congratulated the team on the win. With her likely drafted for the W in 2025, this may be the last time she’ll be able to watch this game — or any Olympic coverage — from her couch.

Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper got hot late in the game, scoring baskets when her team needed them most. Copper’s teammate Natasha Cloud couldn’t resist commentating.

Cloud was thrilled for her teammates Copper and Brittney Griner, who both won gold medals, and for the entire team.

And if you needed proof that even national ties can’t break the bond between teammates, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi were seen consoling French sharpshooter Gabby Williams after the game was over. Williams, who scored a basket at the buzzer that would have been a game-tying 3-pointer had her foot not been on the line, like Stewart and Taurasi went to UConn and played in the WNBA.

Williams’ daring and relentless play earned her more respect from American players and fans, whose numbers have only grown after watching her incredible performance.

There were a few moments after the game that warmed the hearts of even the most stone-faced sports fan. Members of the gold medal-winning men’s team, including LeBron James and Bam Adebayo, paid their respects to their fellow gold-medal-winning hoopers after the game.

Just like yesterday, when the US men’s basketball team won gold against France, Nike had a video ready for the women’s victory.

There was a beautiful moment between Sabrina Ionescu and Kobe Bryant’s family. After the buzzer, Ionescu found them courtside and immediately hugged them.

But the best and most emotional moment of the entire game, and perhaps the entire tournament, came from Brittney Griner. Two years ago, she was held in a Russian prison, battling alleged drug charges, not knowing when or even if she would ever see her American homeland again. Her long imprisonment is one of the reasons Griner said she wanted to play for Team USA: to show the love and pride she has for her country.

And you could see how much it meant to her on the podium. With the gold medal around her neck, she stood with her hand on her heart as the national anthem was played, tears streaming down her face.