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Lynx Forward Seimone Augustus Named to 2009-12 USA Basketball Women's National Team

August 17, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release


MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - USA Basketball today announced that Minnesota Lynx superstar Seimone Augustus was one of eight players selected as a member of the 2009-12 USA Basketball Women's National Team.

A veteran of international competition, Augustus has captured five golds, one silver and one bronze medal for Team USA. The two-time WNBA All-Star was a member of the Gold Medal-winning Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China where she averaged 7.9 ppg (.466 percent), 2.3 rpg and 1.4 apg in eight games (17.8 mpg).

"I'm truly honored to be a part of this extraordinary group of elite woman athletes," said Augustus. "Competing on the world stage with USA Basketball is always special, and I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to once again represent my country in our quest for an unprecedented five-straight Olympic Gold medals. I am recovering well from my surgery, and can't wait to get back out on the court."

The Baton Rouge, LA native appeared in 22 games for USA Basketball during the 2007-08 winter campaign, scoring 11.1 ppg (.559 percent) with 2.8 rpg. Augustus' illustrious international resume also includes appearances at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championships, 2006 FIBA World Championships and 2005 World University Games. Augustus' career on the world stage goes back to 2003, when she led the United States World Championship for Young Women Team to a Gold Medal in the 2003 FIBA World Championships, averaging 10.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.4 spg en route to taking home Tournament MVP honors.

Augustus suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee on June 17, 2009, and underwent successful surgery on July 7, 2009. She will not actively participate with the team in the fall, however, Augustus is expected to attend the training camp. In six games before injuring her knee, Augustus averaged a team-high 21.0 ppg and 4.2 rpg. In 105 career games with Minnesota, the 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year holds averages of 21.2 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Her scoring average of 21.2 ppg remains the highest mark in league history.

Along with Augustus, forming the initial USA Women's National Team roster are two-time Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi; as well as '08 gold medalists Sylvia Fowles, Kara Lawson, Candace Parker and Cappie Pondexter. Player selections were made by the five member USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee.

As was the case over the last quadrennium, the USA team will be fluid and athletes will be added progressively to the 2009-12 USA National Team roster. It is expected that the official 12-member 2010 USA World Championship and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams, should the USA qualify, will be comprised of players from the 2009-12 USA National Team. Additional athletes and coaches will be invited to participate in the USA's first training camp, which will be held this fall (dates and site TBA) at a later date.

In the past dozen years, the highly successful USA Basketball Women's National Team program, ranked No. 1 in the world by FIBA, has posted a 63-1 slate in major international competitions, winning four consecutive Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008), two FIBA World Championship golds (1998, 2002), one FIBA World Championship bronze medal (2006) and one FIBA Americas Championship gold medal (2007).

The USA Basketball Women's National Team will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Sept. 23 - Oct. 3 in the Czech Republic); if necessary the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England), as well as additional USA training camps and exhibition games.

The U.S. will first look to capture the title at the 16th FIBA World Championship, with an automatic berth to the 2012 Olympic Games being awarded to the gold medalist. Should the U.S. not finish with the gold medal in ‘10, it would have two additional chances to qualify for the Olympics: the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament; and 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD).

The USA Basketball Women's National Team Player Selection Committee is comprised of WNBA representatives Reneé Brown, Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations; Dan Hughes, Head Coach and General Manager of the San Antonio Silver Stars; and Chief Operating Officer/General Manager of the Indiana Fever Kelly Krauskopf; athlete representative and five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards; and USA Basketball Women's National Team Director Carol Callan.

The initial 2009-12 USA Basketball Women's National Team roster is attached.

Quotes from Augustus on her selection:

What does it mean for you to be named to the USA Basketball Women's National Team again? It feels great to be named to the team, especially after everything I've been through in the last few months. To know that people still have me high on their charts and to be able to represent the USA is a great thing.

Are you excited about getting back together with some of your 2008 Olympic teammates? Yes, of course. It was a different experience for me at the Olympics because I never really get to sit down and talk with Candace, Lisa, Tina, and all those players. It was exciting to be able to be around them, hang out and form those relationships that we now have. So it'll definitely be a good experience.

I know you're injured now, but what can you contribute to the team when you're back on the court? The same thing that I contributed when we won the gold medal: being a team player, doing what I have to do to help the team. Whether it be defense, whether it be motivation, going after more points, whatever coach Geno asks of me, I'm going to make sure I do it.

Does failing to win the gold medal at the 2006 Worlds motivate you more to strive for gold in 2010? Of course. I think it was a big letdown. Everybody understood that we didn't play our best basketball (against Russia in the semifinal game). Russia's a great team, but we felt like we should have beat them. This is our opportunity to redeem ourselves and show people that we are the best team in the world and like I said, we want to come back and redeem ourselves.

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