Paris Makes USA Olympic Qualifier Squad

Sept. 19, 2007

UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Wednesday night, Courtney Paris informed Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale and her Sooner teammates she will be skipping preseason workouts next week.

And that was just fine with them.

Shortly after the USA Women's Senior National Team exhibition victory over Australia Wednesday night, Paris learned that she will be one of 12 to represent the United States in its remaining international contests as it continues its quest for its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

"I told her I was proud and I wasn't surprised," Coale said," but I also told her she shouldn't be happy with just making the team. She needs to continue to play well and help this team win a gold medal.

"It's incredibly special to thing to have someone who may play in the Olympics in your program. Most of the time, when you're sending a player off to the Olympics, you usually don't have them return (for another year in college). It so rarely happens when someone that young gets that opportunity."

The OU junior center was last season's AP National Player of the Year and led the Sooners to Big 12 Conference regular season and tournament championships and a Sweet 16 appearance.

"I think it is a testament to how unique and extraordinary Courtney is as a player," Coale continued. "Her determination to do well at this training camp shows how incredibly dedicated she is to achieving her goals."

Team USA edged Australia, 70-66, at the Mohegan Sun Arena after struggling throughout the game just three nights after blowing out the Aussies, 96-64, in an exhibition match in Trenton, N.J.

Candice Parker scored a game-leading 23 points, including 15 in the second half to help the Americans to victory.

The Aussies had a 36-35 halftime lead as the U.S. committed 11 turnovers in the first half and gave up eight offensive rebounds.

Paris and Team USA leave Thursday for the FIBA Americas Championship, slated for Sept. 26-30 in Valdivia, Chile. The Americas tournament is one of five FIBA zone championships, in which each gold medalist will qualify to compete in Beijing.

Host China and 2006 FIBA World Championship gold medalist Australia have earned automatic berths to the 2008 Olympic women's basketball tournament.

If the United States does not return home from Chile with the gold medal, there will be one final chance to qualify for the Olympics at the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled for June 9-15, 2008, at a site to be determined.

The United States has not played in an Olympic qualifying tournament since 1980.

Teams finishing in second, third and fourth place at the 2007 FIBA Americas tournament must earn a spot in Beijing's 12-nation field at the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Those three nations along with nine other national teams from around the globe who did not claim gold at the remaining FIBA zones, including two from Africa (silver and bronze medalists), two from Asia (silver and bronze medalists), four from Europe (second through fourth place finishers) and one from Oceania (silver medalist), will compete for the final five Olympic slots.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Paris Makes USA Olympic Qualifier Squad

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors