Sun Players Competing Among USA Finalists

SALAMANCA, Spain - Three Connecticut Sun players are among the 14 finalists battling for spots on the 2010 USA Women’s Team that will compete in the FIBA World Championships, beginning September 23rd in the Czech Republic.

Veterans Asjha Jones and Kara Lawson, and 2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year Tina Charles remain in the mix following cuts that reduced the USA Basketball roster from 17 to 14. The U.S. must submit a final roster of 12 to FIBA on Sept. 22nd.

"I like being down to 14 better than 17, but we're still not at 12," said USA and University of Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma. "So, for the next couple of days we have to figure out how to get to 12. We have an opportunity to do that with the practice and scrimmage that we'll have in the Czech Republic. I think the players, the staff and everyone are anxious for the middle of the week when we can finally settle on 12 and start playing the World Championship."

Also in the group of finalists are Jayne Appel (San Antonio Silver Stars), Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Candice Dupree (Phoenix Mercury), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Maya Moore (University of Connecticut), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx). Following a two-week training camp that included four exhibition games, USA Basketball today announced the 14 finalists who remain in contention for a spot on the 2010 USA Women's World Championship Team. The 2010 FIBA World Championship begins Sept. 23 in the Czech Republic, and the U.S. must have its final 12-member roster submitted to FIBA on Sept. 22. Selections were made by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee.

The USA was 3-1 during a four-game exhibition slate, playing twice in the United States and twice in Spain. The team will travel to Ostrava, where it will open 2010 World Championship play against Greece on Sept. 23 at 6:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. EDT). The U.S. will tip-off against Senegal on Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. EDT) and closes out preliminary round play facing France on Sept. 25 at 3:15 p.m. (9:15 a.m. EDT). All of the USA games will air live on NBA TV, and fans can also watch live streaming of all FIBA World Championship games at www.FIBATV.com.

Remaining in Ostrava, the USA will cross over against the top three finishers out of Pool A, which includes defending world champ Australia, Belarus, Canada and China, for the Sept. 27-29 second round games. The medal round will be played in Karlovy Vary, with the quarterfinals scheduled for Oct. 1, the semifinals on Oct. 2 and the medal games played on Oct. 3.

For more on the USA Basketball World Championship Team, go to http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/