USA – NBA TV to air FIBA Americas Championship for Women’s games live

VALDIVIA (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) – Fans will be able to view all the 2007 USA Basketball Women’s FIBA Americas Championship Team action live on NBA TV during the Sept. 26-30 Olympic qualifier in Valdivia, Chile.

The U.S. women are currently training in Valdivia in hopes of earning the lone Olympic berth from the FIBA Americas zone. Only the gold medalist in the eight-team FIBA Americas Championship 2007 will earn a qualifying spot for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The USA opens its preliminary round Group B action against Cuba on Sept. 26 at 4:00 p.m. (all times EDT), followed by a 1:30 p.m. tip-off against Jamaica on Sept. 27 and closes preliminary round play against Canada on Sept. 28 at 4:00 p.m.

The top two teams in preliminary Group A, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, and Group B advance to the Sept. 29 medal semifinals (4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.), both of which will air on NBA TV. The gold medal game with the 2008 Olympics qualifying berth going to the winner, will be contested Sept. 30 at 4:00 p.m.

The U.S. owns an all-time 10-1 record and has captured gold in both Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in which it has participated (1976, 1980).

Should the United States not return home from Chile with the gold medal, there will be one final chance to qualify for the Olympics at the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated for June 9-15 at a site TBD.

USA Basketball