MIAMI (USA) - Team USA’s undefeated pool play at the Olympics comes as a surprise to no one - with over one third of the team named WNBA MVP at some point in their career, and many more champions in the league and various international competitions, the US women’s team comes as a favorite for good reason.

As they cruised through the quarterfinals to now face Serbia for a shot at their gold medal defense, many standout names are at the forefront of the team's success.

What does come as a shock to most though, is just how well rounded the team is currently. All-time greats Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are still playing like it’s their first ever games, young stars A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart being able to catch and shoot from anywhere on the floor while still getting gritty on the boards, and Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray add valuable minutes off the bench with their ability to not only see the court but also score.

One player who has been taking over for the USA during the tournament however is center Brittney Griner. At 6’7, it’s easy for the post player to simply get a foot above her defender and square up to the basket for an easy bucket. Yet after a 2020 that saw Griner leave the WNBA bubble due to mental health, and team USA camp being one of her first returns to the sport that she also had used to be able to have as a platform to talk about her struggles, it’s been a long road to Tokyo.

With MVP bigs Sylvia Fowles and Tina Charles on the team, it would be easy to put one of them in the starting rotation, yet it’s Griner who has started every game in the pool round as well as their quarter-final matchup, dumping in at least 11 points per game for the red, white and blue, including a tough double-double performance in a comeback win over Nigeria.

At age 30, Griner also is competing with many younger bigs throughout the tournament that may be more agile or fresh on the court that would make it easy to guard her. But shooting over 50 percent every game Griner has made it well known why many look to her as one of the best bigs in the game.

"One thing my dad always taught me is never be complacent, you can always be better at something, and if you don’t keep working at your craft you’ll start lagging in certain areas," said Griner.

"My shooting range is extended now a little bit more, taking those elbow shots and two’s, trying a three at least once a game, I think that’s where the game will start to evolve a little bit, I don’t have to be down low the whole game I can stretch it."

And while the flashy three-point plays and dishing dimes aren’t typically what a post player does - it's crucial for someone like Griner to be able to not only play aggressive in the paint for USA, but also to challenge defenders with her range while knowing to be there to collect any missed shots and dump them back in.

Griner’s attitude off the court may be one of her most valuable traits on the team - her ability to make her teammates laugh and provide leadership translates into their on court chemistry and trust that many teams simply cannot replicate.

Going into their quarterfinal match against Australia, where center Marianna Tolo had 26 points and 17 rebounds as a standout for the Opals as the Aussies staged a second half comeback against a tough Puerto Rico, Griner still managed 15 points and a team high 8 rebounds, finding jumpers as well as post drives to the basket while also holding Tolo to just 6 points and 1 rebound.

Also able to get on the glass when the Opals’ shots weren’t falling, Griner helped USA score in transition in the game that allowed them a double-digit win, 79-55, to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

"It’s one thing I can always rely on - offense comes and goes but defense, a lot of it is heart and I’ve got a lot of heart so I pride myself in trying to protect the rim," said Griner.

"Even if I don’t get a blocked shot just being there, being loud, being big, letting them see my body and my frame there, if they wanna challenge me, I’m always welcoming the challenge in the paint."

As one of the best rim protectors in the game, Griner is aware that her presence alone can be a threat to some, but others won’t be afraid to take her on a driving layup or post-up spin move.

But in her second Olympics, nothing seems to be a challenge for Griner as she floats to the rim with every lob she gets and continues to be a staple for USA on both ends of the court, and will continue to be a crucial part of their success as they look to move forward in Tokyo.

 FIBA