USA – Milton-Jones, Catchings and Lawson complete American roster for Olympics

COLORADO SPRINGS (Olympics) - DeLisha Milton-Jones, Tamika Catchings and Kara Lawson on Thursday became the final three players to make the United States Olympic team.

Milton-Jones, one of the leading players in Europe at Ros Casares in Valencia, Spain, strengthens a front line that includes fellow veteran Lisa Leslie and emerging star Sylvia Fowles.

She helped American teams capture gold at the 2000 Olympics and FIBA World Championships in 1998 and 2002.

Catchings played on the gold –medal winning side four years ago in Greece while Lawson impressed at the FIBA Americas Championship last year in Chile.

“I'm thrilled that Tamika, DeLisha and Kara have been added to the team," said USA coach Anne Donovan.

"Tamika is such a complete player and a tenacious defender who will add much to our already strong Olympic team.

“DeLisha's international and Olympic experience is sure to further fortify our inside game.

“I'm also pleased with the addition of Kara Lawson. Kara's extensive experience training with the national team these last several years has made her a perfect selection for our team.

“She understands the game and her teammates so well that it's like having another coach on the floor.

“All three of these athletes, along with the rest of the team, are comfortable with each other on the court, and know the system that we plan to utilize in Beijing.

“I'm excited about getting this team together at the end of this month and really focusing on our goal, which of course, is winning the gold medal."

The three players join Leslie; Katie Smith; Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson; Seimone Augustus, Fowles , Candace Parker and Cappie Pondexter.

The USA have won the gold medal at the last three Olympics but will face serious opposition from world champions Australia, hosts China – the team that beat them in the final of the 2008 Beijing Basketball Test Event – and European powers Russia.

FIBA