COLORADO SPRINGS (Olympic Women) - Headlined by three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks) and two-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock), USA Basketball today announced the first nine members of the eventual 12-member 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team that will head to Beijing in hopes of defending the USA's string of three consecutive Olympic gold medals. In addition to Leslie and Smith, the initial roster includes 2004 Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets); while Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) will participate in their first Olympic Games.
The USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee will continue to discuss the final three roster spots before finalizing the 12-member team by July 1.
"I'm just thrilled to have these nine players officially named to the team," said U.S. Olympic head coach Anne Donovan. "It's such a great mixture of Olympic gold medalists with some really tremendous young talent. I love the combination of players that we have. We have Olympians who have experienced multiple Games like Lisa Leslie and Katie Smith, some who are returning for their second Olympics and then we have a very talented group of first-timers. Looking at these nine players, we've really covered the gamut in terms of experience and we have a tremendous balance of perimeter and post play."
"We know it will not be an easy road to the gold medal in Beijing, the rest of the world has gotten much better over the last four years," said USA Basketball vice president for senior women and chair of the selection committee Reneé Brown , WNBA chief of basketball operations and player relations. "However, we feel that this group will continue to represent their country with pride and honor and compete at the highest level that is expected when representing USA Basketball. All of these athletes have played for Anne in the past, work well together and know her system. These are nine great players who are ready to face any challenge.
"We still have three more players to add to the team and we're hoping to add a tough defensive stopper on the perimeter who can also score for us, as well as at least another post player. The Committee will continue to look at all the remaining players in our pool, it's not a decision we take lightly. It will be a tough decision."
Not only does the '08 squad possess a combined eight Olympic gold medals, the athletes own a wealth of international experience. All nine have worn red, white and blue and returned to the United States with at least one gold.
USA Basketball
