USA/CUB –Team USA get a Big Syl of approval
BEIJING (Olympic Test Event) – The United States bounced back from their defeat to Australia with a 92-60 thrashing of Cuba on day two of the 2008 Beijing Basketball Test Event. And young center Sylvia Fowles made a very loud statement that future is very bright for the Americans. The 22-year-old, attempting to force her way into the US ...
BEIJING (Olympic Test Event) – The United States bounced back from their defeat to Australia with a 92-60 thrashing of Cuba on day two of the 2008 Beijing Basketball Test Event.
And young center Sylvia Fowles made a very loud statement that the future is very bright for the Americans.
The 22-year-old, attempting to force her way into the US Olympic squad, finished with a game-high 25 points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots.
“Not too many people have this opportunity coming straight out of college,” said Fowles, who just wrapped up an outstanding career at Louisiana State University.
The 22-year-old, who did not have as much of an impact on Saturday against Australia after getting into foul trouble, played with more composure on Sunday.
“When I calm down and let the game come to me, great things happen,” she said.
If the 6ft 5in Fowles imposed her physicality and great basketball talent on the Cubans, Lisa Leslie provided further evidence that she will be one of the Olympics’ biggest stars again by scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds in just 18 minutes.
Leslie missed the 2006 FIBA World Championship after having a baby. She has been dubbed a “Super Mom” by the Chinese.
One of the positives about her return is the influence she is having on the younger players like Fowles.
“It’s been a thrill playing alongside Lisa,” Fowles said.
“I watched her play while growing up, and just to have the opportunity to be on the court with her is an amazing feeling.”
Another player back in the USA set-up is Swin Cash.
She played for the American gold-medal winning team in Athens in 2004 but tore her ACL shortly after.
Cash would appear to have an excellent chance of playing in Beijing later this summer at the Olympics again.
She is also hoping to play in Europe next season, like so many of the other Team USA stars.
“After going through Athens and winning the gold there and having a couple of years not playing internationally, it’s great to get my feet wet here,” Cash said of the Test event.
“I plan on playing overseas so this is a great opportunity for me to show internationally that I’m back on the scene.”
FIBA