Swin Cash, United States

After putting forth one impressive performance after another in all 13 games with the U.S. Women's Senior National Team this spring, Detroit Shock forward Swin Cash earned a permanent spot on the 2004 roster.

In a little more than two seasons as a member of the defending WNBA Champion Detroit Shock, Cash has emerged as one of the WNBA's brightest stars. She was named to the 2003 WNBA All-Star team and was a 2003 All-WNBA second team selection. So far this season, Cash is averaging 16.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. Cash was also a part of two NCAA Championship teams at the University of Connecticut.

She made her USA Basketball debut during the 2004 USA Senior National Team's three-game sweep of Cuba in Havana, was invited to join the U.S. squad again on the USA's European Tour as well as the Domestic Tour this past April. Cash helped the United States to a 13-0 record and was the fifth best scorer overall, averaging 9.6 ppg. and adding 5.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. She was officially named to the U.S. National Team on May 13.

Cash will be going to her first Olympics (Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images)

Do you have a favorite all-time Olympic athlete?
"Florence Griffith Joyner and Gail Devers."

What is your favorite Olympic memory?
"I really enjoyed watching the Dream Team in 1992 but my favorite individual moment was watching Vince Carter dunk over Frederick Weis from France."

How have the Olympics inspired you?
"The 1996 U.S. Women is really what started it all for women's hoops. I used to be a huge women’s basketball fan, but once that that Olympics came, I remember that it launched the WNBA and women’s basketball in general. I was so excited and waiting for every women’s basketball event from then on."

What will it be like playing with such a great group of women?
"I think it will be a lot of fun. At the end of the day, we are all different and individuals in our own way but we recognize that in order to win the Gold Medal, it’s going to have to be one team, one goal, and everyone is there for the common goal, and that is to win the gold medal. We are all so competitive that we have to put the egos aside just so you can win the one thing that everyone wants."

What other Olympic events are you looking forward to seeing?
"The track and field events - the hurdles, the relay and the sprints."

Lauren Jackson, Australia and Seattle Storm forward:
"She is very relentless and a great offensive player. She is such an important player to her team."

Tamika Catchings, U.S. teammate:
"Swin is very competitive and a great all-around player. She is a natural leader and does everything so well. She is also a lot of fun, the perfect person you want on your team."