Lyttle ready to take aim at Rio

EKATERINBURG (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Spain superstar Sancho Lyttle is coming back to the national team.

After missing the EuroBasket Women 2015, where the defending champions finished third, the 32-year-old has told FIBA.com that she is set to return and help Spain make it to the Rio de Janeiro Games. She is to play at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

"Yes, this is a chance for them to go to the Olympics, so why not?" she said.

I'm getting up there in age. This would be my first and last Olympics, so I want to make it. - Lyttle

With Lyttle in the lineup, Spain are far more potent. She is a real fighter, one that battles for rebounds, excels defensively and scores. Lyttle has boundless energy.

Spain are a different team with her. They are a better team.

At EuroBasket 2013 in France, her points, work on the boards, steals and leadership were crucial as Spain won the title. She was the tournament's Most Valuable Player. 

Sancho Lyttle (ESP) was EuroBasket Women 2013 MVP

In 2014, Lyttle again led her team to the podium. She made the All-Star Five after Spain reached the Final of the FIBA Women's World Championship in Turkey.

She has been a dominant player on the club scene, too, whether it's been in the WNBA or in Europe. On Sunday for UMMC Ekaterinburg, Lyttle had 18 points and 12 rebounds and also came up with four steals as Ekat came from behind to beat Nadezhda, 72-69, in the EuroLeague Women Final. It marked the fourth time in her career that she had won the competition.

A veteran, she still has plenty to offer any team. She possesses the right mentality. Lyttle has what a player must have to be a success at the highest level.

"Just the will to play defense," she said, "the will to try and do your best when you're on the court and after that, you can limp and lie in bed as long as you want.

As you can see on the court, I'm not slowing down yet. - Lyttle

Spain coach Lucas Mondelo will have his MVP, and he'll need her if the team is to find success at the WOQT, which tips off 13 June in Nantes, France. They will face China and Venezuela in Group D.

A top-two finish would throw them into a game against Belarus, Nigeria or Korea and victory in that contest would qualify the team for Rio. A defeat would leave them needing two more wins to reach the Olympics.

As far as Lyttle is concerned, it doesn't matter who the opponents are. Spain need to play well. If they play as well as they can, one of the five tickets to Brazil at the WOQT will be theirs.

"No matter which team you play," she said, "you have to go out and play."

FIBA