Hand, Robinson Pass USA Trials

May 17, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Oklahoma's Whitney Hand and Danielle Robinson were among the 14 finalists announced Sunday invited to compete for a spot on the 12-member USA World University Games team.

The finalists were selected by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee, chaired by Sue Donohoe, the NCAA Vice President for Division I Women's Basketball.

“I have been through this experience before and didn't make the team,” Robinson said, “so it feels good to be named one of the finalists. It's great to be recognized as one of the elite players and to be playing with the nation's best players, so I'm definitely excited about the opportunity."

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Hand and Robinson were among 29 women's college basketball players invited to the U.S. Olympic Training Center for the three-day team trials the past weekend. The 14 finalists will return to Colorado Springs on June 18 for a week-long training camp before the roster is cut to 12 who will depart for the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia.

“I felt like I played horrible (during the trials),” Hand said. “I really wasn't expecting to be called, but I'm excited that I have another chance. I'm going to go back home and prepare as hard as I can and try to come back and make the final roster.”

Hand and Connecticut's Tiffany Hayes were the only college freshman who made the finalists roster. All three Big 12-member athletes invited to team trials advanced as Kansas' Danielle McCray was named a finalist along with the Sooner duo.

The World University Games is organized by the International University Sports Federation and held every other year. The women's basketball competition will take place July 1-11. Eligible athletes for the USA team must be currently enrolled in a college or university and have remaining NCAA athletic eligibility.

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USA Basketball World University Games Team Finalists Roster


Jayne Appel	Stanford	Pleasant Hill, Calif.
Tina Charles	Connecticut	Jamaica, N.Y.
Alexis Gray-Lawson	California	Oakland, Calif.
Whitney Hand	Oklahoma	Fort Worth, Texas
Tiffany Hayes	Connecticut	Lakeland, Fla.
Ashley Houts	Georgia	Trenton, Ga.
Jantel Lavender	Ohio State	Cleveland, Ohio
Danielle McCray	Kansas	Olathe, Kan.
Jacinta Monroe	Florida State	Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Maya Moore	Connecticut	Lawrenceville, Ga.
Kayla Pedersen	Stanford	Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Ta'Shia Phillips	Xavier	Indianapolis, Ia.
Jeanette Pohlen	Stanford	Brea, Calif.
Danielle Robinson	Oklahoma	San Jose, Calif.

Head Coach: Charli Turner Thorne, Arizona State
Assistant Coaches: Suzy Merchant, Michigan State; Julie Rousseau, Pepperdine

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Additional Quotes from Hand and Robinson:

Whitney Hand
On being named a finalist:
"It's just an honor to play with these incredible players. These are the best-of-the-best, and I'm just honored to get this opportunity to compete with them."

On what her focus between now and training camp will be:
"Probably to get in better shape. Defensively, I felt a step behind on everything. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I think when I come back I will be a little more routine to me."

On what she thinks she can bring to the team:
"I think my ability to shoot. I didn't prove it this weekend, but I have another chance. And my overall attitude as a team player - I think that will be key."

Danielle Robinson
On what is most challenging to overcome during team trials:
"I think a lot of it has to do with nerves. You're definitely nervous coming in here playing with the best, but I think that if you just play your game, play hard and be a team player you have the best shot at making the team."

On what she thinks she can bring to the team:
"A lot of speed, which is what I bring to the University of Oklahoma, and just leadership. Ashley Houts is a great point guard as well, and I think we're two completely different types of point guards. I think that my speed will help speed up the tempo a little bit."

On possibly playing for Team USA this summer:
"It's big. I have known Jayne (Appel) forever, and she has always come back with a gold medal when she has played for the U.S., and she says it's a great experience. That's one thing you always want to do as a basketball player is win gold and be part of the Olympic trials and team. That's what we're here for, to win gold, and I definitely think we have a great shot at it."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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