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March 28
• Budapest, Hungary
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| USA team hopefuls
Deanna Nolan (7) and Michelle Snow (9) were smothering on defense
agaist a tough Czech squad |
During the USA's recently completed European Tour, six athletes joined
USA core members in hopes of making the final 12-member roster in Athens.
Tari Phillips was injured after her first game, while Deanna Nolan came
in for the final four games. Each player brings something different to
the floor and each one of them competed hard and gave an outstanding effort
in each game. But, with all these players coming in and out, one would
think the team would play a bit disjointed. But that was not the case
at all. Throughout the six-game tour the team played as one and looked
as if these players had been together for months prior to stepping onto
the court in Poland.
USA Basketball.com took a moment with the five hopefuls who were on hand
after the final game in Hungary to see what they thought about the tour.
Swin Cash
How has this helped you?
I thought I got a lot of good experience playing internationally,
getting to know the refereeing, and their style of play and the players.
It will help if make the team to have spent this time over here, playing
with this team and getting to know them better.
Do you think this team has gelled quickly?
There are a lot of different styles of play coming over here with
a lot of different players. And sometimes it's hard to gel in a short
time. But I think we've done a good job, we've had some close games and
blowout games, but we've stuck together and been able to win.
What have you taken away from this trip?
I've been able to take a lot away from this experience. I'm really
happy to be here, to be a part of this team, to experience international
ball and represent my country. Basketball-wise, just learning from different
players like Tina and Pee Wee and seeing how they always play at such
a high level. That's been a great experience for me.
Deanna Nolan
How has this tour been for you?
They've been pretty good. With playing international basketball, I've
been playing over here but not in the EuroLeague. It's kind of different,
it's a lot more physical. But it's good to get this experience and to
know that you have to keep playing through stuff like that?
How has it been playing with this group of players?
It's been great. You get out there and you're playing for your country.
At the same time, you're trying to have fun, but also get the business
done.
Do you think you've played pretty well this week?
I think I've played okay. I came in here and didn't know the plays,
but I think I handled it pretty well and learned a lot. Once I got in
and started playing, it was okay.
What's been the best experience for you, on or off the court?
Probably getting to know everybody. You always play against them in
the WNBA, but now you get to know them and play with them. You're on the
same team and get to know everybody, hang out with them and stuff like
that.
What have you learned from some of the older players?
I learned how really intense and focused they are in games. The team
yesterday (MiZo Pecsi VSK) came out pretty hard, but this team never gave
up and fought back. That's the thing, they stay focused and never give
up.
Ruth Riley
How was the European Tour?
It's been a good experience to be able to travel and play in these different
countries and in different situations with some of the best players in
the world. I've had the chance to get to know a lot of other players and
represent my country. Representing your country is an honor and I've enjoyed
it. It's a lot of traveling, but it's been a lot of fun.
What have you learned from some of the older players?
Just by watching Tina, especially on this trip, as a post player.
How she approaches games, she's been so consistent for us. She's playing
some of the best basketball she's played. It's been great to sit and watch.
What's been your favorite experience off the court?
Going to TGI Friday's in Poland with my teammate E.P. (Elaine Powell)
from Detroit.
Tangela Smith
Are you pleased with the way the European Tour ended?
Yes, we went undefeated and everybody played hard. I'm just happy
to be here because there are a lot of great players on the team and I'm
happy to be around them. But overall I think we played really well.
How was this team able to gel so well?
Coach telling us to just play. This whole trip he told us to play
and not think to much. And that's what everybody did. We're just playing
basketball. Everybody out here is a great player and we just did what
we do best.
What are you going to take away from this experience?
Every time I see all the older players, they work hard from the beginning
to the end of the game and that's something I need to work on. I need
to stay focused throughout the entire game, so that's a big thing I've
realized here. I look up to all of them and it's been great playing with
them.
Michelle Snow
How was the European Tour?
It's been enjoyable, being able to come here and play with a lot of
the best players in the WNBA, the best players in the world. They've taken
us in and shown us how to play. They've taught us a lot of things that
as young players, it takes you longer to mature and longer to learn. They've
really helped us along. They invited us in and let us work with them and
help them contribute to this trip.
How much does it help to have your Houston coach and teammates on
this team?
It's helped a lot. They have been a strong rock for me since I've
been in the league. They took me in and made sure I'd mature faster than
maybe I would have on another team. It helps, but at the same time I realize
that we're not Comets teammates on this tour. We're national teammates
and we're trying to do something much bigger. So you have to listen to
them and learn as much as you can as quickly as you can.
What's been your favorite part of this trip?
Whenever you have the best players in the world, as a young player,
and they accept you and let you play. They don't put any reins on you,
they don't tell us, ‘no, you can't do this, you can't do that.' They
have welcomed us with open arms and they've encouraged us to play hard,
work hard and contribute as much as we can.
Has that helped this team gel?
That helped us gel so much faster. We come in thinking automatically,
‘what is our role? What do you want us to do? Should I shoot? Should
I pass?' But they made it clear from day one to just play hard. Just play
hard. We tried to do that, we've done the best that we can and this team's
come together quickly. We've done a great job on this tour.
What's it like coming out and playing with these players who you've
gone up against, but not necessarily been teammates with in the past?
I've played against all of them and I knew a little bit about all of them,
some of them I knew really well before now. I think it's kind of a blessing
in disguise. For one, players in the WNBA, no matter what team you're
on, tend to get along. So that's really helped.
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