Additional Quotes >> USA 73, Brazil 40

Merida, Mexico • June 18, 2011

Jill Rankin Schneider, USA head coach
On tonight's game:
We came out really strong. We played with purpose, and it's what we've been waiting for. We have a lot of respect for Brazil, and they played us tough. We knew we had to play well to beat them, and we did. We played very well.

I thought Brazil made a real effort to contain Mercedes (Russell) tonight, because she had a great game the last time we played, and you can't do that with this team. We have too many great players. We had a lot of contributions from so many different players.

We let them have a little run at the end of the second quarter, and Linnae (Harper) came out in the second half and almost had an 8-0 run on her own.

On the growth of the team:
It's been a steady process watching them get better each game and watching different players emerge.

You've won gold medals as a player, what's it like to win a gold medal as a coach?
I'm just so proud for the team, and I'm just so proud to be a part of it. I was nervous because as a player you feel like you have more control. I'm just tickled to death to be a part of this, and I'm proud for those 12 young people.

Recee' Caldwell
On winning a gold medal:
It's unbelievable; it really is. I've dreamed about this my whole life, and now I finally have a gold medal. It's amazing.

What has been the best part of this experience?
The best part is the relationships with the other girls. I think these friendships will last until we go to college and even after that.

Jordin Canada
What has been the best part of the experience?
The best part was being together as a team. Our chemistry together was excellent. We played great together, and I'm always going to remember how we laughed and joked together. Everything about the team, I'm going to miss it a lot.

On winning a gold medal:
It's an amazing feeling. I have always dreamed of this. When I made the team, I was excited, and now the hard work that we've been through at practice has all come together. I'm very excited. It's unbelievable.

Kaela Davis
On winning a gold medal:
I think this is just the greatest feeling of my life. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something great. I'm just glad we came together and did it.

What the best part?
The best part is knowing that we reached our goal. It's something that we've been working hard for for so long, and it really came to the right end.

Rebecca Greenwell
On tonight's game:
I thought we came out hard and played hard the entire game. Everyone contributed, and we all played well.

On winning a gold medal:
It feels amazing. Winning a gold medal is probably the best feeling I've ever had.

What was the best part of this whole experience?
The best part was getting to meet everybody throughout trials and training camp and winning the gold medal.

Linnae Harper
On tonight's game:
We came out ready and intense. From the jump, we did whatever we had to do to get the gold. Even after halftime when we were up by a lot, we didn't let up.

On winning a gold medal:
It's just priceless. I have no words to explain how I feel right now. It's a great experience. My first time out of the country, and to get a gold medal -- it's worth it. I worked very hard, and it paid off.

What has been the best part of this experience?
The best part was meeting new people and seeing another culture and how they live. It was very cool.

Stephanie Mavunga
On tonight's game:
We came out ready to work, and we came out hard. We really gave it all that we had. Brazil was a good team, and they were ready to play. It was a hard fought battle, and we worked harder and wanted it more.

On winning a gold medal:
It feels great. It's unbelievable. Its something I've always dreamed of. I'm just so excited, and all of my teammates are excited.

Erica McCall
On winning a gold medal:
It feels amazing, very surreal. I'm just so happy that all of our hard work paid off. This is what we were going for, the gold medal.

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Taya Reimer
On tonight's game:
We came out so ready. It showed from the score in the first quarter, and we just kept it going from there.

What will you remember about this experience?
I think getting to know the girls. We had great team chemistry from the beginning. We came here and did what we had to do, and it was just fun getting to know all of the girls.

On winning a gold medal:
It feels awesome. This is what we've been working for, so we finally got it. It's a great moment.

Mercedes Russell
On tonight's game:
I thought it was a great game. We let them have a little run at the end of the second period, and then we came back after halftime and picked it up and finished it.

On winning a gold medal:
It's a magnificent feeling. It's something I've always dreamed of, and it's a great feeling.

What will you remember about this experience?
I think I will remember all of it. It's a great lifetime experience.

Jannah Tucker
On tonight's game:
I think the game was great. We did everything well, offensively and defensively. We played hard, and we knew what we wanted from the start.

On winning a gold medal:
It is surreal. It's a great accomplishment, and I'm just proud to represent the USA.

What will you remember about this experience?
I think I will remember being with the team and the great chemistry we had. It was just so much fun, and it's a great honor.

Sydney Umeri
On winning a gold medal:
It's one of those things you see every four years when the Olympics come around, and you are in awe of that moment. Now for me to get a gold medal, it's one of those unreal moments that I will never forget.

What has been the best part of this experience?
The best part has been the people. Everyone that is a part of USA Basketball and everyone that plays USA Basketball, they all really care about you and they all want the same thing. To be around this great group of people has been amazing.

Jatarie White
On tonight's game:
It just feels breathtaking. In the last minute, I thought, 'Oh my gosh we actually won and we are going to actually bring home the gold medal.' So I was just very excited.

What has been the best part of this experience?
The best part has been getting to know all of the girls and coming together as a team. It was great, and coming to a foreign country it felt good to have my teammates with me.