Sept. 30, 2009

Washington, D.C.--The USA Basketball Women's National Team has announced that American University's Bender Arena will be the host location for the team's six-day domestic training camp in preparation for next year's FIBA World Championships. Connecticut Head Coach Geno Auriemma will lead the squad, which includes a host of former collegiate All-Americans and current WNBA stars.

Players expected to attend the Training Camp include the following members of the Olympic gold medalist team: Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) and Dia na Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).

The team will begin training on Wednedsay, culminating with the 2009 USA Basketball Women's National Team Showcase, which includes team drills, an intrasquad scrimmage, a question and answer session with Auriemma and a post-practice autograph session with selected players on Sunday, Oct. 4.

"We're thrilled to have the Women's National Team come to campus for this special week," commented American Head Women's Basketball Coach Matt Corkery. "It will be a tremendous learning experience for our student-athletes to be able to see the National Team up close and be able to talk with them about their experiences. This should be a great learning opportunity for our team. I hope the campus community, along with basketball fans in Washington D.C., take advantage of this occasion."

Tickets to the Showcase event on Oct. 4 can be purchased for $5 on AUeagles.com by clicking on the "Tickets" page, or by calling (202) 885-TIXX. Admission for children six and under is free.