ESPN to Create 30 for 30 Documentary Focused on 1996 USA Women’s Basketball Team

The 1996 USA Women’s basketball team is referred to as the “Women’s Dream Team” after their dominant gold medal performance in the olympics. Soon, that team will be celebrated once again as ESPN reportedly has plans to create a “30 for 30” documentary focus on the group.

  • Deadline reports that ESPN is planning a feature documentary in the “30 for 30” line focus on the 1996 USA Women’s Olympic basketball team.
  • The team went undefeated in the ‘96 Olympic Games in Atlanta, en route to a gold medal.
  • The documentary will focus on how they got to those game though, and the grueling 15-month road trip they had to endure to step onto the world’s biggest stage.
  • The story will follow the 12 women who were tasked with auditioning the idea of professional women’s basketball in the US.
  • The team scheduled 52 games in the 10 months ahead of the games in Atlanta, to help them become a cohesive unit.
  • The new documentary will be directed by Kristen Lappas, who directed Blackfeet Boxing and produced several “30 for 30” docs like Al Davis vs. the NFL and Long Gone Summer.
  • The new “30 for 30” will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage shot by the NBA of the team’s 15-month tour.
  • Several players from the team will also be featured in the documentary, including:
    • Rebecca Lobo
    • Ruthie Bolton
    • Nikki McCray
    • Jennifer Azzi
    • Katy Steding
    • Teresa Edwards
    • Carla McGhee
    • Sheryl Swoopes
    • Coach Tara VanDerveer
  • No premiere date is set for the film at this time but it is planned to debut in 2022.