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It's official: Lawson makes Olympic team
By Debbie Arrington - darrington@sacbee.com
Last Updated 9:54 am PDT Friday, July 11, 2008
When she finally got the phone call, Monarchs guard Kara Lawson couldn't contain herself.
"My initial reaction, I screamed pretty loud into the phone," Lawson said of getting the news that she's an Olympian. "I'm really, really excited. My smile muscles are sore."
USA Basketball today officially added Lawson, along with forwards DeLisha Milton-Jones of the Los Angeles Sparks and Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever, to fill the final three slots on the 12-woman roster for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.
Catchings and Milton-Jones are both former Olympians and gold medalists with Team USA.
Lawson, 27, was among 20 finalists for those last three tickets to China. Also considered for the USA team were Monarchs Rebekkah Brunson and Laura Harper. Team USA did not name any alternates to the squad.
Making her first Olympic squad, Lawson became the third Monarch to earn an Olympic berth, following two-time gold medalists Ruthie Bolton and Yolanda Griffith.
Lawson and Detroit guard Katie Smith were the only two candidates who made every training session, tournament and game for Team USA, noted head coach Anne Donovan. Starting in high school at age 17, Lawson has played for national teams for a decade, including 30 games for the senior squad.
"Kara's extensive experience training with the national team these last several years has made her a perfect selection for our team," Donovan said in a conference call. "She understands the game and her teammates so well that it's like having another coach on the floor."
Lawson will join her Olympic teammates for training camp July 28 at Stanford University before heading to China. The Olympic basketball tournament begins Aug. 9.
Named May 31 to the USA team were Olympic veterans Smith, Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Tina Thompson. Also selected were Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker and Cappie Pondexter, who will play in their first Olympic Games.
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