Additional Quotes >> USA Women's World University Games Team Finalists

May 17, 2009 - Colorado Springs, Colo.

Charli Turner Thorne
2009 USA Basketball Women's World University Games Team and Arizona State Unviersity head coach
What were your impressions about the athletes at the trials and the level of competition that was out there?
It was outstanding. I thought the committee did an outstanding job of identifying really a lot of the best players in the country. The level, the intensity and the pace of play was exceptional. This was my first trials, so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but all the veterans were saying this is one of the best displays in terms of the pace of play and the competitiveness that they've seen. I feel really good about our squad and ability to be successful.

What do you see as your strengths of the 14 finalists and how does that relay into what you want to accomplish?
We've got a lot of fire power, a lot of offensive weapons especially inside with tremendous post play and wing play with (Maya) Moore and (Danielle) McCray. I really feel like, even though I don't think it showed in the trials, I do think we're going to be a very strong perimeter shooting team. I liked our aggressiveness on defense, we're going to get after it. We definitely need to shore some things up in terms of transition and screen D, but I'm confident that we can do that in the week and a half we have to prepare. I know we're going to be a great rebounding team, and I know from past experience with USA Basketball that's been a strength of our teams, and I see that continuing with the squad we have.

You have seven players with previous USA Basketball experience, additionally, you have seven players who were in the (NCAA) Final Four this year. How important is getting to that top level and having that experience for a team?
It's critical. I'll take that experience over somebody who might even be a better basketball player because from my experience with USA Basketball it really comes down to toughness. It's kind of like the Final Four really. It's not always the best team or the most talented team, it is absolutely a team that is going to find a way to get it done, and I think we have a great group that knows how to do that.

Your challenge ahead when you resume training camp will be to get your team to play as a team, how do you accomplish that?
Don't mess them up (laughing). I think that's what we do as coaches. We get to know them as people and build trust within, with us and also among themselves. So I think really it's building trust, teaching fast and getting them to buy into what we want to do and also what it will take to win. I don't think that's going to be too hard. I think again with the experience on this team, they know what it takes to win at the highest level and they know they need to give themselves over to this team and pull together pretty quickly.

With the experience this team has with USA Basketball and even a Final Four, do you think that is critical when you have to take a team out of your country and into a completely different culture, the language challenges, and the whole situation change?
Absolutely. When I speak of toughness I don't just mean diving on the floor and fighting for a rebound. I mean people that can adjust and adapt…the home sickness, the coping with a different culture. Being in Serbia for three weeks, that's going to be an adjustment. Not eating the food you're use to. We were in Moscow for two weeks last time (as an assistant coach with the 2007 USA Women's U21 World Championship gold medalist team), and I was really impressed with those players. There were no complaints, and they just dealt with it and they got the job done. I do think that we have a squad that is going to be able to respond that way.

Jayne Appel
Stanford University
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It was a little bit of a relief. I was kind of nervous about it, but I'm very excited to be able to try out again and to be onto the next step for the USA.

What will be your focus between now and the start of training camp?
I think number one to stay healthy and number two to get into the best shape and learn the plays that Charli (Turner Thorne) has given to us. That will be my main goal.

How did you feel you played this weekend?
I think I have performed better, but I feel like there were moments when I played like I wanted to, and there were also drop-off moments. I wasn't satisfied, but I can deal with it. It got me to where I needed to be.

What do you think you could bring to this team?
I would say finishing underneath, and I have a rebounding mentality. Playing in the Pan Ams, I learned how important rebounders are in the international game.

Tina Charles
University of Connecticut
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It felt really great. I felt all the hard work I had put in these last three days had paid off.

Did you feel like you played well this weekend?
Yes, I did. You always think you can do more, but for what I did, I left it all on the court.

What would it feel like to represent the USA and compete for your second gold medal?
It would definitely mean a lot. A lot of players don't get the opportunity, and to be blessed with the opportunity, you have to take advantage of it.

What do you think you could bring to this team?
I think I can bring leadership qualities and the post game. I'm going to be working on a dominate game in the low post.

What will be your focus between now and the start of training camp?
My focus will be working out, working hard and trying to get better.

Alexis Gray-Lawson
University of California
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It feels great getting back here and being named as a finalist. I got the chance to do it before, but I got hurt and couldn't compete. I'm just glad to be here and be healthy.

What would it feel like to represent the USA and compete for a gold medal?
I definitely have been striving to play for USA Basketball. I think every student athlete strives for that, and I'm happy to have the chance.

What will be you focus between now and the start of training camp?
Just to make sure that I'm always in the gym and getting in better shape. I'm in pretty good shape right now, but I need to keep it up and get better and work on my game.

Did you feel like you played well this weekend?
I played alright, definitely not my best. I'm going to try and be a little more consistent, a little more focused and come out here hungry.

Whitney Hand
University of Oklahoma
How does it feel to be named as 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.

Did you feel like you played well this weekend?
Not at all. I felt like I played horrible. 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.

What will be your focus between now and the start of training camp?
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.

What do you think you could bring to this 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.

Tiffany Hayes
University of Connecticut
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It felt good to know that I made the first cut and that I'm able to join Maya and Tina on the roster. I am excited.

How did you feel you played this weekend?
I felt that I played okay the first day or so and then yesterday, I think I did a really good job. I never really got to play my game, but I did enough to get here. I definitely have to go home and work to make sure that I make the next cut.

Ashley Houts
University of Georgia
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It feels amazing. I think nerves were going through everybody this morning. It was a tough weekend, and it feels good to be named a finalist and have the opportunity to compete some more.

What would it feel like to represent the USA and compete for a second gold medal?
I really can't put it into words. It's indescribable and it's an awesome feeling, especially to be here with the best players, the best coaches and really the best organization. It's a great opportunity.

Did you feel like you played well this weekend?
You know, I just tried to do what I do best, and that's play hard. You can't dwell on a lot. Obviously, I did enough to make it to the second round, and I'm just grateful for another opportunity to represent the USA.

Jantel Lavender
The Ohio State University
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
I am excited. I worked hard. I started off kind of slow, but I picked it up in the last few sessions. I think for the most part I came, and I worked hard. It's exciting to make the first cut.

What would it feel like to represent the USA and compete for a third gold medal?
It would mean a lot to me. Winning a gold medal the two times that I have done it meant so much, and it felt so good to know that we worked so hard and we represented our country so well. Being able to do it again would be another honor for me.

What will be your focus between now and the start of training camp?
I'm just going to get in tip-top shape and work on my post moves and finishing well. I wasn't finishing well during trials, so I'm going to come back and make sure my post moves are very efficient.

Danielle McCray
University of Kansas
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It feels great. It is an honor to play against all these great athletes that came out here, competing and playing well. It was a relief. I was nervous and had a little shaky feeling, and when my name got called, I was really happy.

What would it feel like to represent the USA and compete for a gold medal?
It would mean a lot to play for our country and bring home the gold, and it would mean a lot to me personally.

Did you feel like you played well this weekend?
I think I did. I've been working hard from after my season was over up until this, and I think it paid off. I tried to just bring what I can do and not try to do too much. I think that's what showed.

What do you think you could bring to this team?
I think my size advantage and versatility as a guard could help this team. I play strong and physical, and I'm able to rebound and get inside with the post players.

Jacinta Monroe
Florida State University
How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
Before my named was called I was all tingly, like I was waiting on a grade back from a test. When I heard my name, my knees just got weak. It feels great. I can't stop smiling. It's like a dream come true. Last time I was at a trials I think I was just excited to be here, but this time it really meant something to me. I just wanted to go out and play hard and that's what I did.

How did you feel you played this weekend?
I really didn't feel like I played that well because the level of competition is so high, and there are so many awesome players here. I was hoping I would get picked, but I wasn't sure about it.

Maya Moore
University of Connecticut
What have you learned from all your experiences with USA Basketball?
I do realize how much of a privilege it is to play for this team. Just going overseas and being around so much talent, even as a younger U19 player and getting the chance to scrimmage against the Pan American Team two years ago. Being able to get experience from them and knowing that I'm playing against some of the best players in the world. Just being around such great talent, I have really learned a lot. Overseas it really is important to represent our country, and it kind of humbles you to know that we're going over to their home and playing with their rules, and you really start to feel like it's us against the world, so it makes you feel connected to your country and your teammates. You have to be able to learn on the fly too, something that we have all been challenged with when you have new coaches and teammates. You really have to be mentally ready. I think it really helps all of us when we go back to our campus', we are better ball players.

What do you think you could bring to this team?
Hopefully some experience, it's kind of new for me. I'm used to being the younger one coming up. I need to be more of a vocal leader and do everything I can to hustle and make the big plays when my team needs it and just try to learn and soak up as much as I can and bring energy.

Kayla Pedersen
Stanford University
What do you think you did to stand out this week?
I'm not really sure, but I am a team player and talking it up and hustling and just making all the little plays.

What have you learned with USA Basketball?
I think it's the whole international experience. How teams respond to the U.S. and how to travel, it's been great and I hope I make it to Serbia.

What do you think you can bring to the team?
Probably just leadership from my experience.

Ta'Shia Phillips
Xavier University
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
It's definitely really exciting. Coming here I was just hoping to do my best and wondering what the process was going to be like. It's a great experience and something that everyone should have the chance to do, although I know not everyone does. I'm very honored to make the finalists cut.

What do you think you did this week to stand out to the committee?
The same thing I always do, work hard all the time and at least try to do my best all the time and just stand out as far as effort goes. Even if I couldn't finish, just continuing to do what I could.

Is there anything you're going to work on before coming back for training?
Defintely my conditioning, my finishing, just taking my game to a different level and working on things that could possibly help me make the final cut.

What do you think about the possibility of representing your country and winning a gold medal?
That just sounds so amazing, even a national championship wouldn't compare to that. I haven't won a championship, but I think that (winning a gold) would be an even better experience because so few people have the chance to do it in their lifetime.

Jeanette Pohlen
Stanford University
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
It's great to represent the USA and to make it this far as a finalist among all the great players here. It's really an honor.

What do you think you did this week to stand out to the committee?
I just went out there and tried to show that I wanted to be here. I hustled as best I could, tried to run the floor as best I could and just tried to be the best teammate I could be.

What do you think you can bring to the team?
I hope I can bring a lot of enthusiasm and shooting. I'm really hoping that I can work on my shooting when I go home and help the team with that. Defense is what's going to win the game, so that too.

How do you feel about the possibility of playing for the USA this summer?
Honestly it's a dream come true. It's what every women's basketball player wants to do -- play for their country and win a gold medal.

Danielle Robinson
University of Oklahoma
How does it feel to be named a finalist?
Great, I have been through this experience before and didn't make the team, 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.

What did you learn from your past experience that helped you this week?
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.

What do you think you 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.

How do you feel about the possibility of playing for the 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.