PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The USA Women’s Basketball National Team announced its roster for the 2010 FIBA World Championship with the 12 member team consisting of six former BIG EAST players and one current BIG EAST athlete. The team is led by head coach Geno Auriemma and assistant coach Doug Bruno, head coaches of Connecticut and DePaul, respectively.
Five of the 12 Team USA members are Olympic gold medalists, including three former BIG EAST players. Sue Bird, a 2002 UConn graduate, and Diana Taurasi, a 2004 UConn grad, are both two-time Olympic gold medalists, while Swin Cash, another former Husky, won gold in Greece in 2004. In addition to Olympic game expertise, the National Team is full of international play experience with each member having won at least one gold medal from a previous USA Basketball team.
The other National Team members include three former BIG EAST athletes and one current BIG EAST player. Angel McCoughtry was a 2009 graduate of Louisville, while Asjha Jones and Tina Charles finished at Connecticut in 2002 and 2010, respectively. Charles’ former UConn teammate Maya Moore is the only current collegiate player on Team USA’s roster.
“I think the team that was picked is a terrific team,” said Auriemma. “It’s a terrific group of kids and the next nine games will give us an opportunity to prove that.”
During the last FIBA World Championship in 2006 in Brazil, the U.S. went 8-1, bringing home the bronze medal. Team USA looks to win gold at the 2010 edition in the Czech Republic and automatically qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.
World Championship play begins Sept. 23 for the U.S. as it takes on Greece at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 Team USA will face Senegal for a 6 p.m. tip-off. The U.S. will close out the preliminary round squaring off with France Sept. 25 at 3:15 p.m. All of Team USA’s games will air live on NBA TV. Live streaming of all FIBA World Championship game will be available at www.FIBATV.com.
