COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Continuing on its past success of building gold medal winning teams around a core group of internationally experienced players, USA Basketball, which has claimed gold at the last two FIBA World Championships and past three Olympic Games, announced today that three-time Olympic gold medalists Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks) and Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets), two-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock), 2000 Olympic gold medalist DeLisha Milton-Jones (Washington Mystics), and 2004 Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) have been selected as the first eight members of the 2006 USA Women's World Championship Team. The selections were made by the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee and approved by the USA Basketball Executive Committee.
"USA Basketball's senior women's program has a proud history of success in international competition, including five consecutive gold medals over the past ten years," said USA Basketball President Val Ackerman. "The 2006 World Championship player roster once again represents an impressive blend of youth and veteran leadership, and with coach Donovan at the helm, we are in an outstanding position to continue our unparalled run and solidify the domination of American women in the sport of basketball,"
"These eight players have contributed to the success of the USA Basketball women's program over the past two decades," said Committee chair and WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations Renee' Brown. "You not only have three- and two-time Olympians, but you have some talented young players who are hungry to compete alongside our veterans and help continue to build upon USA Basketball's past successes. Not only have all of them have competed together in international competitions, but the Committee also knows that they all have a respect for each other's games and they are willing to collectively come together to compete and win for the USA."
"This is a tremendous group of core players, with extensive experience in bringing home the gold," said USA and Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan. "With this group, I know we are assured of going to battle in the World Championship with our best and most proven veterans. These players understand the drive, preparation and commitment that we need to stay on top. I am confident that these experienced Olympians will set the pace for yet another gold."
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