Nine Players Named To USA Womens National Team Olympic List

Nine professional WNBA players have been named to the USA Women's National Olympic Team for the Beijing Olympics. On top of the list, is three time Gold Medal Olympic Winner, Lisa Leslie followed by other veterans:

Tina Thompson

Katie Smith 

Sue Bird

Diana Taurasi

Seimone Augustus

Candace Parker

Cappie Pondexter

Sylvia Fowles 

Coaches

Anne Donavan (Former Olympian)

Dawn Staley (Former Olympian) 

The selection committee expressed their thoughts about the National Team and their road to the 2008 Olympics. "“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."