Arizona Stars to Watch: 4 Phoenix Mercury Players and More Athletes Set for Paris Olympics on July 29

11 Olympians from Arizona, including four members of the Phoenix Mercury, will compete in the Paris Olympics on Monday. Here’s who you need to watch.

PARIS, France — Eleven athletes from Arizona are set to compete in the Paris Olympics, chasing gold across diverse events. The action kicks off Monday with representation in basketball, beach volleyball, swimming, and skateboarding.

Basketball will see a strong Arizona presence. Phoenix Mercury players Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, and Brittney Griner will play for Team USA, opening against Japan. Taurasi seeks her sixth gold medal. Copper is debuting at the Games, while Griner returns after her detention in Russia. The game starts at noon Arizona time.

A Mercury forward/guard, Rebecca ‘Bec’ Allen, joins Australia’s Opals, facing Nigeria at 2 a.m. Arizona time. Allen played for Australia in Tokyo, contributing to the team’s qualifying successes and earning a bronze in the FIBA World Cup.

On Nigeria’s side, Promise Amukamara will compete. The Apollo High School and ASU alum played in the Tokyo Olympics, where her team, D’Tigress, faced challenges but gained valuable experience. Amukamara’s athletic family includes NFL veteran Prince Amukamara.

Mesa’s Jagger Eaton, an Olympic returnee, will compete in men’s street skateboarding. His event, initially set for Saturday, got delayed due to rain. Eaton aims to add another medal to his bronze from Tokyo. Prelims and finals will run from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Arizona time.

Chase Budinger, an ex-University of Arizona basketball player, will play in men’s beach volleyball. Having switched from professional basketball, Budinger qualified for his first Olympics. Partnering with Miles Evans, they’ll face France’s team at 7 a.m. Arizona time.

Former ASU swimmer Regan Smith, a favorite in women’s 100-meter backstroke, will compete on Monday. Smith holds the world record and has three Olympic medals from Tokyo. Preliminary heats start at 2:13 a.m. Arizona time, with semifinals following later that night.

In women’s water polo, Bente and Lieke Rogge represent the Netherlands. They scored a victory against Hungary and will play China at 9:30 a.m. Arizona time. Joining them in the water is France’s Mia Rycraw, who aims to rebound after an opening loss. France plays Italy at 5 a.m.

Canada’s Blair McDowell will debut in women’s water polo against Hungary at 11:05 a.m. The former ASU standout focuses on making a strong Olympic entrance.

Team USA has a packed day with events across gymnastics, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe slalom, mountain biking, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, judo, rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and triathlon.