2011 USA World University Games Team Finalists Quotes

Colorado Springs, Colo. • May 25, 2011

Bill Fennelly
(Iowa State University), head coach
What do you think about your roster of finalists?
I thought the committee did a great job. USA World University Games Team and Iowa State University head coach. When you have 35 extremely talented kids, as coaches we were like, ‘wow, this is a tough job,’ but I thought they did a great job. It’s a good balance of players. All of them can bring a lot to this team and we can put together a really, really good club that will give us a chance to win a gold medal.

Elena Delle Donne
(Delaware / Wilmington, Del.)
How did you feel when you heard your name called as a finalist for the 2011 USA World University Games Team?
I was definitely happy my named was called first on the list. It felt incredible, I got chills right away.  I’m just so excited and can’t wait to get back here and start working with the team. It’s a phenomenal group of girls and I’m just really excited to be a part of this.

At the trials, we’re you looking to show anything special or did you try to focus on anything?
No, you know I just wanted to play my game and do the things that I thought I do best. I just wanted to do things that I’m used to doing, like shooting, passing, trying to hit that open player.  Just trying to play relax because it is definitely an intense type of setting.

What do you think you can contribute to this team?
I definitely think I have versatile game so that will be helpful to the team. Passing wise I feel like there are some phenomenal players on this team and my passing abilities will be able to get them some open shots. So I just look forward to playing with this group of girls and playing under such a great coaching staff.

You’ve had some opportunities in the past to play on a USA Basketball team but something has come up and prevented it from happening.  Does it mean moiré now to finally have the chance to play on a USA Team?
Yeah, it’s phenomenal to get this second shot.  I’ve been through so much and it’s just so nice to be here, have a clean slate and to be able to do this.

Skylar Diggins
(Notre Dame / South Bend, Ind.)
How did you feel when you heard your name called as a finalist for the 2011 USA World University Games Team?
I think I was excited but I had a little more anxiety still waiting to see if my teammates were going to make it or not.  Luckily I was one of the first ones called, so when I heard my name it was a sign of relief but I really didn’t let it go all the way until I heard Natalie Novosel and  Devereaux Peters also.

You’re joined among the finalists by a couple of Notre Dame teammates, what does that mean?
It’s amazing. We all stayed after school and worked out together and did the extra conditioning and put in all the work, really pushed each other.  So to all make the team that really paid off. You have to thank the coaching staff, the strength and conditioning coaches for staying and putting in extra work with us. It’s an exciting accomplishment and it will be an amazing if we all get to go and win that gold medal together and be able to share that experience with people you’re familiar with.

At the trials, we’re you looking to show anything special or did you try to focus on anything?
I was just trying to play my game and be consistent and not change anything; just really making sure that I’d be a one, a point guard.  I felt like I took more responsibility as a point guard instead of a combo guard like I had with the past two teams that I played on for the USA. So I really just came out here and tried to focus and having been a captain of one of past teams I just wanted to be a vocal leader and really get people comfortable who were maybe nervous and try and show a good personality out there and make everybody feel like I was food leader.

What do you think it will take for this team to come together and be successful?
It’s going to be tough. Like Coach (Bill Fennelly) said  we have such a short amount of time to do so many things so everyone has to buy in and be focused when we come back here to practice. We’ve got to hold each other accountable and really make sure that we are focusing on things we need to get done.  We have to come in with a lot of energy and intensity everyday and when we go to China  we have to be great, we have to be competitive. Everyone wants to beat USA, we have the biggest target on our backs and we have to make sure we handle that with a lot of poise and composure and really just play USA basketball.

Jacki Gemelos
(USC / Stockton, Calif.)
How did you feel when you heard your name called as a finalist for the 2011 USA World University Games Team?
I was nervous; I didn’t really sleep last night.  It was kind of like a relief and I’m very excited to be part of this team and I’m just going to do whatever it takes to help us win the gold medal.

At the trials, we’re you looking to show anything special or did you try to focus on anything?
I came in with the attitude that I wanted to get my teammates involved and be a pass first guard. I know everybody here can score so I just felt like my role could be like Ticha Penicheiro a little bit and just distribute the ball and get my teammates open shots.

How did you think your trials went?
I think they went fairly well.  Some sessions were better than others. I really enjoyed playing with Skylar Diggins and had a lot of fun with that.

What do you think it will take for this team to come together and be successful?
I think Coach (Bill Fennelly) said it best, just coming together and knowing what our roles are individually and making that work.

Keisha Hampton
(DePaul / Philadelphia, Pa.)
How did you feel when you heard your name called as a finalist for the 2011 USA World University Games Team?
I felt so excited, I think I wanted to scream but I wanted to stay calm, keep my composure. But it was a great feeling.

At the trials, we’re you looking to show anything special or did you try to focus on anything?
I just came ready to compete, show them that I’m here to compete and just play hard.

What do you think you can contribute to this team?
I think what I did best was I definitely defended well the past few days, I think my defense really stood out.

Glory Johnson
(Tennessee / Knoxville, Tenn.)
How did you feel when you heard your name called as a finalist for the 2011 USA World University Games Team?
I wasn’t too nervous. I knew that it was either going to happen or not and I just put it all out there on the floor and if that wasn’t enough than that just wasn’t enough.

At the trials, we’re you looking to show anything special or did you try to focus on anything?
On my outside shooting. I just got out of surgery (left wrist) about four weeks ago and I had a cast on my hand for a while so I wasn’t going to really rely on driving to my left, so whenever I went to the left side I would have to pull up, so I was working on my outside shooting for about three weeks straight.

What do you think it will take for this team to come together and be successful?
Just knowing that we all have talent, we all need to share the ball and we all need to focus on working together to be successful. Knowing we can hit shots individually, offensively we can score, just focusing on our defense, rebounding, just the little things we can work together on rather than trying to do your individual game.

Shenise Johnson
(Miami/Henrietta, N.Y.)
How does it feel to be a finalist?
It’s very nerve-wracking. I’m excited, and I’m happy to be named as a finalist. I was happy to even be invited out here, but I feel like the work isn’t done yet. So, I’m going to go home and practice and train. It’s definitely and honor.

What do you hope to bring to the team when the finalists return on July 31?
I just want to make sure I’m blending well with the team, make sure my person doesn’t score and basically just try to mesh. I feel like you never know exactly what the coaches and committee are looking for, so I’m going to try and develop a good relationship with my teammates. 

How do you feel trials went for you?
Not good. I was really shocked, actually. I think overall, I didn’t play that great as a whole.

Lynetta Kizer
(Maryland / Woodbridge, Va.)
How did you feel when you heard your name called as a finalist for the 2011 USA World University Games Team?
It was kind of like a relief, just a sigh of relief. I was really excited to hear my name called with the caliber of girls that are out here.  I know they worked hard and to have my name called was really just a weight lifted.

Were you nervous?
Yeah I was.  I was real nervous…you know everybody had put their best effort out these past couple of days  so to hear my name called and to know the work I put in the past couple of days was good to hear.

At the trials, we’re you looking to show anything special or did you try to focus on anything?
Just being as vocal as I could, just talking to the girls; doing anything and everything they needed me to be – being vocal, setting screens, just being the ultimate team player. Just some of things they outlined in the guidelines they gave us. Just definitely going out and trying to play hard.

What do you think you can contribute to this team?
My energy; being vocal. I’m definitely one of those high energy players. Anything they need me to do – set a screen, play defense, just going out and trying to give everything I’ve got for this team

Natalie Novosel
(Notre Dame/Lexington, Ky.)
How do you feel trials went for you?
It kind of went up and down to be honest. At the start, everyone was caught up in trying to prove themselves. I felt like I was a little out of sync. I’m used to a structured offense, and so I felt like I really wasn’t doing anything. I was a little down on myself. The committee talked to us, and I think everyone realized we needed to change that. We bonded together, and everybody stepped up. I felt like with every session I got a little better. I was focusing on the little things, like hustle plays and making the right decision at the right time.

This was your first USA Basketball experience. How does it feel to be named as a finalist?
It feels amazing. To work so hard all year, and then to be rewarded by even being invited was exciting. Then to come here along with my teammates to be a finalist is really a dream come true.

Chiney Ogwumike
(Stanford/Cypress, Texas)
How do you feel trials went for you?
It was a struggle for me. I’m going up against bigger, stronger athletes, but then again, I do have experience playing one year in college. I was proud of myself because I worked hard the whole time, and I tried my best. Things came together for me personally in the end. I was able to play a little bit better. So, I’m proud of my effort and I’m glad the committee saw it.

How does it feel to be a finalist alongside your sister, Nneka?
I think that was my biggest fear. I love playing with my sister. Really, the only other time we could make the same USA team is hopefully if we make an Olympic team together, which is a long way in the future. I’m just happy to have this moment with her now and to share this.

What do you hope to bring to the team when the finalists return on July 31?
I feel like my best asset is my positive attitude. They always say that they need someone positive, and I think that’s something I can always do. And then also defend. Those are things you can control, and that’s what I try to pride myself on.

Nneka Ogwumike
(Stanford/Cypress, Texas)
How does it feel to be a finalist?
It feels great. I mean, obviously, the suspense was building. I think I was even more excited to hear my sister’s name, and I’m really happy to be able to play with her and all of these girls. I haven’t played with a lot of them in the past, and I’m really excited about this group.

How do you feel trials went for you?
I feel like I really focused on being a leader and being a team player. Obviously in trials it’s a little bit different because people are trying to showcase what they can do. I just tried to offer contributions in whatever way I could.

What do you hope to bring to the team when the finalists return on July 31?
Energy; I really hope to bring energy and success, obviously. I’ve won two gold medals, and I’d like to win a third with this group of girls.

Devereaux Peters
(Notre Dame/Chicago, Ill.)
How do you feel trials went for you?
I think I did alright. It’s hard to gauge when you are playing such great players and everybody is playing well and you are making friends. So, it was hard, but I thought I did alright.

How does it feel to be a finalist?
It feels great. It’s terrifying that they are cutting two more, but it feels good for right now.

What do you hope to bring to the team when the finalists return on July 31?
I guess, just to do what I do with my other team – rebound and try to be as much of a team player as possible. Helping out on defense is really what I do best, so hopefully I am able to do that and make the team.

Odyssey Sims
(Baylor/Irving, Texas)
How does it feel to be a finalist?
I’m excited. It was a great experience.

How do you feel trials went for you?
When you come in, you just have to play. You can’t take anything for granted, because you don’t know what the committee really wants or is looking for. It’s about defense and teamwork, too, not just offense. I tried my best and just played hard. That’s all you can do.

What do you hope to bring to the team when the finalists return on July 31?
I want to come back and play like a great point guard – create shots for my teammates and get them open, worry about my teammates first and myself last. 

Shekinna Stricklen
(Tennessee/Morrilton, Ark.)
How do you feel trials went for you?
I was a little shaky. I felt like I didn’t do as well as I could have, but they said they were looking for team players, and that’s what I was. I really didn’t shoot the ball – maybe like five times since I was here. I was a little nervous thinking I didn’t shoot enough.

How does it feel to be a finalist?
It feels good. Getting an opportunity to play for another gold medal is really special. We still have two people who are going to get cut, and I hope I’m not one of them. I just wish the best for the team.

What do you hope to bring to the team when the finalists return on July 31?
I want to show that I’m able to play different positions, encourage my teammates and rebound the ball. I want to show them my strengths. It’s not about one person; it’s about the team. So, just finding whatever this team needs and how I fit into that.

April Sykes
(Rutgers/Starkville, Miss.)
How does it feel to be a finalist?
It’s very exciting. Knowing I came here in 2008 and didn’t make the team, after the experience of being in college and playing under Coach (Vivian) Stringer—she preaches strength and mental toughness all the time and going as hard as you can and as long as you can all time—I think it’s great that I was able to come out here and perform for the committee and make the finalist round.

Do you feel trials went well for you?
For the most part, yes. Everyone knows me as a shooter, but I think I came here with the mindset of showing that I can do so much more than just shoot the ball. I just put it in my mind that I can make shots, and I was going to show the committee my other capabilities and versatility. I focused on defense as well, and I think I did pretty well. I could have done better, of course.