MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – USA Basketball today announced that Lynx players Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen were among 12 players named to the final 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team. This is the fifth consecutive Olympic year in which the Lynx have been represented on the final Olympic roster, with Augustus (2008, 2012), Maya Moore (2012), Lindsay Whalen (2012) and Katie Smith (2000, 2004) previously donning the red, white and blue. This summer, Team USA will look to earn a record sixth-straight gold medal in Rio.
“It’s extremely exciting to have another opportunity to play with the best players in the world,” said Lynx forward, Maya Moore. “It’s just a special time in the history of USA Basketball because of the level of talent, from top to bottom, that we have with the opportunity to continue to make history with our legacy of winning gold medals. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s an exciting challenge.”
After winning the gold medal with Team USA in 2008 and 2012, Seimone Augustus (6-0, guard) is looking to repeat the success in Rio this year. She helped Team USA sweep their way through the Olympic Games in 2008, averaging 7.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in eight games and again in 2012, averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in eight games.
Fowles (6-5, center) also earned gold with Team USA in 2008 and 2012. In Beijing, she helped Team USA sweep the tournament, averaging 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In 2012, she averaged 6.0 ppg (61.1%) and 3.6 rpg in five appearances for Team USA in London.
Moore (6-0, forward), will make her second Olympic appearance with Team USA after earning gold at the London Games where she averaged 9.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in eight games.
Whalen (5-9, guard) is also making her second trip to the Olympic Games as a part of Team USA. As a member of the 2012 Olympic team, Whalen averaged 8.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in eight games with Team USA in London.
Joining the Lynx players on the final roster are: Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Tina Charles (New York Liberty), Elena Delle Donne (Chicago Sky), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm) and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).
Team USA is seeking its sixth consecutive and eighth overall gold, as well as extending its 41-game Olympic winning streak. The 2016 Olympic basketball tournament will be held from August 6 – 20 in Rio de Janeiro at the Deodoro Youth Arena (preliminary round) and all remaining games will be played at Barra Carioca Arena 1.