Sparks' Milton-Jones Added to U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team
July 10, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Sparks' All-Star forward DeLisha Milton-Jones has been added to the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball team for this summer's Beijing Games, it was announced. Milton-Jones joins teammates Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker on the team. Leslie is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Considered the front-runner to win the WNBA title, the Sparks are the only team with three players representing the U.S. The U.S. will defend its string of three consecutive Olympic gold medals.
Milton-Jones, in her 10th WNBA season, was a member of the gold-medal winning U.S. team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. She was also selected for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but was sidelined due to injury.
A first-round draft pick by the Sparks in 1999 and a member of back-to-back championship teams in 2001 and 2002, Milton-Jones spent three seasons (2005-07) with Washington before rejoining the Sparks this year. She is averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. She has a career average of 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
Also added to the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball team were Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) and Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs). The initial U.S. roster also included seven other WNBA stars: two-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock), 2004 Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets); and Olympic first-timers Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) and Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky).
"I am honored to be added to the U.S. Olympic team and excited about going to Beijing," Milton-Jones said. "It will be great to play with Lisa and Candace and all the other talent on the U.S. team in that spectacular international setting."
Olympic women's basketball competition will be held Aug. 9-23. Preliminary play is scheduled for Aug. 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17; quarterfinal action takes place Aug. 19; semifinal play is slated for Aug. 21; and the women's finals will be held Aug. 23.
The U.S. Women's Olympic Team opens Aug. 9 versus the Czech Republic, and next faces host China on Aug. 11, Mali on Aug. 13 and Spain on Aug. 15. The U.S. finishes off its preliminary play Aug. 17 against New Zealand.
Since women's basketball was officially staged at the 1976 Olympics, the Americans have collected a record five gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal, while compiling a 42-3 (.933) overall record in seven Olympic appearances (the United States chose not to participate in the 1980 Olympic Games).
Anne Donovan is the U.S. Olympic team head coach. Sparks' General Manager Penny Toler is one of four WNBA representatives on the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee.
With WNBA players involved in the Olympics, the league has not scheduled any games from July 28-Aug. 27. Instead, the WNBA season will be extended by three weeks. WNBA teams and players will remain active in their communities while on hiatus from regular-season action. Sparks players not competing in the Olympics will participate in a variety of community-based events and activities.
The second half of the Sparks' season will tip-off on Aug. 28 as they play host to the Sacramento Monarchs at STAPLES Center at 7:30 p.m. The regular-season schedule concludes Sept. 14, with the playoffs scheduled to begin on Sept. 18.
For Sparks' ticket information, call 1-877-44-SPARKS. Tickets also are available by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX or by visiting either Ticketmaster.com or wnba.com/tickets.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 10, 2008
- Monarchs hold on for double-digit win - Sacramento Monarchs
- Comets to help raise awareness - Houston Comets
- Sky edged by San Antonio - Chicago Sky
- Minnesota Lynx Daily - Minnesota Lynx
- FSN Adds Four Additional Storm Telecasts in 2008 - Seattle Storm
- Mystics on TV - Washington Mystics
- Kara Lawson Becomes Third Monarchs Player in Franchise History Named to U.S. Olympic Team - Sacramento Monarchs
- Sparks' Milton-Jones Added to U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team - Los Angeles Sparks
- Minnesota Lynx to Host U.S. Bank Lynx Go Pink - Minnesota Lynx
- Chicago Sky & Bank of America Honor Women of Inspiration - Chicago Sky
- Detroit Shock Take Up Side Jobs For A Night - Detroit Shock
- Parker's 40 Lead Sparks To OT Victory - Houston Comets
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