MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – USA Basketball today announced that Lynx players Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen are among the 21 finalists for the 2012 USA Women's Olympic Team. The Lynx have been represented on the Olympic Team roster three times in franchise history: Augustus (2008) and Katie Smith (2000, 2004). The finalists were selected by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee.
"We are excited that they have a chance to be a part of this opportunity with USA Basketball," said Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith. “We all have seen firsthand the impact these women have on a team and we wish them the best of luck in their efforts to make the final Olympic roster.”
No stranger to representing her country in international play, Augustus (6-1, guard/forward) is looking to play in the Olympics for the second time in her career after winning a gold medal in 2008. She appeared in all eight games off the bench in 2008, averaging 7.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, as the USA swept their way to the gold.
Brunson (6-2, forward) appeared in both the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship and 2003 Pan American Games with Team USA. Her performance in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship helped Team USA qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, averaging 9.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest as the U.S. went unbeaten.
Moore (6-0, forward) is looking to make the final roster after helping the U.S. qualify for the Olympics during the 2010 FIBA World Championship. She appeared in all nine games during the competition, averaging 8.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per contest as the USA went unbeaten to secure their spot in London.
Whalen (5-9, guard) was also a member of the unbeaten 2010 FIBA World Championship team that avenged their 2006 bronze medal. She averaged 5.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.4 minutes off the bench, including scoring a team-high 16 points in their second round victory over Canada.
Joining the Lynx players as finalists are: Jayne Appel (San Antonio Silver Stars), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Chicago Sky), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun), Candice Dupree (Phoenix Mercury), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Brittney Griner (Baylor University), Lindsey Harding (Atlanta Dream), Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun), Kara Lawson (Connecticut Sun), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Renee Montgomery (Connecticut Sun), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), Cappie Pondexter (New York Liberty), Diana Taurasi (Phoenxi Mercury) and Sophia Young (San Antonio Silver Stars).
The Olympic National Team is coached by University of Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma. He will be assisted on the Olympic coaching staff by DePaul University head coach Doug Bruno, Olympic gold medalist and Washington Mystics assistant coach Jennifer Gillom and Atlanta Dream head coach Marynell Meadors.
Team USA is seeking its fifth consecutive and seventh overall gold medal, as well as extending its 33-game Olympic winning streak. The 2012 Olympic basketball tournament will be held from July 28 to August 12 in the Olympic Park Basketball Arena (preliminary round and quarterfinals) and North Greenwich Arena (semifinals and finals).
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