SACRAMENTO, CALIF., August 17, 2009 � The Sacramento Monarchs and USA Basketball announced today guard Kara Lawson is one of the first of eight players named to the 2009-12 USA Basketball Women�s National Team. Lawson will train with the USA Women�s National Team, which will select its final 2012 Olympic roster, should the USA qualify, from the overall pool of players attending training sessions throughout the next few years.

�I'm thrilled to be a part of USA Basketball as we move forward with Coach Auriemma,� said Lawson. �The USA Basketball experience is like no other because it surrounds you with the best coaches and players our sport has to offer. I look forward to the competition, camaraderie and the opportunity to continue the legacy of being the preeminent program on the international stage.�

In her Olympic debut in 2008, Lawson led the team in total assists (24), and was second in field goal percentage (65.6%) and three-point field goal percentage (57.1%). Additionally, she scored a team-high 15 points in the gold medal game, helping the U.S. top Australia, 92-65. For the 2008 Olympic Games, Lawson averaged 16.3 minutes, 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

Lawson, currently in her seventh season with Monarchs, is averaging 24.2 minutes, 8.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.64 steals per game for the 2009 season. For her WNBA career she is averaging 23.3 minutes, 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.6 steals per game.