By Sammie Hill–

The USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee recently granted Former Louisville All-American Angel McCoughtry a tremendous honor by selecting her as one of 21 USA Women’s National Team finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team.
The Atlanta Dream star led the WNBA in scoring in 2011, and McCoughtry also helped USA Basketball to gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational and the 2007 Pan American Games. The 6-1 forward was the leading scorer off the bench on the World Championship Team that posted a 9-0 record to capture the gold medal and qualify the U.S. for the 2012 Olympics.
“Now that we’re down to 21 finalists, you look around and you see a group of players that have tremendous experience,” states the USA National Team head coach, Geno Auriemma. “You’ve got a group of players that have experienced everything there is to experience and as a coach, as someone who’s been around these players, I couldn’t be happier with this group. They represent the best of what the United States has
to offer.”
The fact that a former Cardinal has reached the Olympic level of play reflects upon the caliber of the University of Louisville women’s basketball team. The team currently stands at No. 16 and has sculpted one of the best records in program history.
“It’s crazy. I don’t know how to really explain it,” junior guard Tia Gibbs said to ESPN of home games at the KFC Yum! Center. “But even from the very first game I played here–we played Tennessee and it was a sellout here–and literally seeing 22,000 people in the stands watching you. We’re kind of used to seeing that for a men’s game, but for a girls’ game, it’s unbelievable. It makes you want to do even better for the crowd.”
The accomplishments of Angel McCoughtry illustrate the elite group of women molded by the University of Louisville women’s basketball program. The nation expects great things from McCoughtry, whose roots in Louisville have prepared her for a successful future in basketball and beyond.

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