March 6, 2007 • Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jessica Davenport competed on the 2006 USA Women's Senior National Team that won the Australia-hosted Opals World Challenge. Seeing just under 11 minutes a game, she made the most of her time and averaged 5.8 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. (USA Basketball Photos)

USA Basketball today named a 21-member 2007-08 Women's Senior National Team pool that included four current collegians. With most of the pool off in Europe and the four collegians -- Ohio State's Jessica Davenport, LSU's Sylvia Fowles, Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and Tennessee's Candace Parker -- we thought we'd find out a little bit more about what makes them tick, how they feel about being named to the USA Senior National Team and what they feel they can bring to the team. USA Basketball.com, thanks to their respective sports information directors, spoke with each of them for about 10 minutes on the phone and one thing we found out was that these four players are quite enthusiastic about the future of USA Basketball.

What went through your head when you were asked to be a part of the 2007-08 USA Women's Senior National Team pool?
I was pretty excited, just being able to go back out and have the opportunity to play for the USA again.

What does it mean to you to be listed among this group of players?
It is pretty exciting, being able to play among the greatest players in the world. I'm about to leave college pretty soon once I graduate this spring and these are the kinds of players I'll be playing against on a regular basis, so it's a great opportunity for me.

You logged some quality minutes off the bench last year in Australia during the USA Senior National Team's spring training, do you think that helped you solidify your position among this pool of players?
Maybe a little bit. I tried to go out there and do whatever was asked of me, whatever coach wanted me to do. This time it won't be any different in that regard.

What did you learn most from that experience?
Just the level of play, it's a different level than college. I went out there and tried to play hard all the time and give a lot of heart. A lot of the players, they've been playing a long time. They're pretty smart, so you have to be sound on defense and always communicate.

After playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world, do you think that affected your play this year?
Definitely. Playing against those players brings out another level of play in you, then you bring it to your college team and if you play like that against them, it helps them raise their level of play.

What do you remember about watching the Olympics as a kid and did you ever think you'd be among the top list of candidates for an Olympic team?
I remember how hard they played, how good they were. Players like Katie Smith, Lisa Leslie, watching them play and how well they play together. I never really thought that I'd be there. I didn't get into basketball until late middle school, early high school. Maybe after I got into college and saw how I was playing I started to think I might have a chance.

What are your thoughts on playing with Katie Smith, one of the all-time OSU greats, again?
I'm definitely looking forward to it. Just seeing her, she comes into the gym every day and she's working out. To be able to see her working out, see the type of ethics she has, and to be able to play with her and her understanding of the game is pretty exciting.

Did you follow the '06 World Championship team's progress and how did you feel when they lost in the semis?
I could only read about it. I couldn't see any of the games, but reading about it I thought they were playing pretty well. And then they had that loss, but overall I think they'll be able to bounce back. I felt a little bit (of connection to the team) just knowing that I went to a training camp with them, and I know their level of play. I know they went out there and played hard, but sometimes you come up a little short.

What do you think you could contribute to this team?
Energy. I try to play as hard as I can with anybody and I think I'm pretty easy to play with. So, just making sure I bring energy and defensive and offensive presence.

Tell me about some of your best memories from last year's spring training? Any particular moments stand out on or off the court?
The fact that I got to travel to Australia, that was an experience in itself. Going out there with a new group of girls who I hadn't really hung around, being able to make new friends. And on the court, playing with some of the best women out there, getting little pointers. Tina Thompson talked with me a lot, and that really helped me, post-wise.

You seem to have two different personalities, nice and unassuming off the court, but a fierce competitor on. How can you explain your split personality?
Off the court I'm pretty laid back, I just kind of go with the flow. But on the court you get in situations where your temper flares, your emotions are high. I think that's just the kind of changes you get because the competition is there.

If you weren't playing basketball, what would you be doing after graduation?
I want to open a store for tall girls, so I would want to get my feet wet in that area. I'm not looking to design, mostly distribution so that you can go into the mall and have more sizes available for taller women instead of having to order online all the time.

Who is your favorite Olympic basketball player?
Lisa Leslie

Favorite non-basketball Olympian?
Venus and Serena Williams

Go to the other three Q&As:
Sylvia Fowles || Courtney Paris || Candace Parker