Update From USA Basketball Camp
Training camp for the 2010 USA Basketball World Championship Team continued in Washington, D.C., where the squad got a big boost – literally – with the addition of Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles.
The 2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Charles missed the first two sessions while attending a family function. The addition of Charles brought the team roster to 10, and it gave USA a sizeable inside presence.
As the team prepares to travel north for games at the XL Center in Hartford against Australia Friday and Spain on Sunday, USA Basketball.com spoke to coach Geno Auriemma about the practices thus far.
“I think it’s been pretty good,” Auriemma said of the practices. “We’ve gotten better every day. We’re improving. We added a player with Tina Charles, which made it a little bit better, because we were really low on post players. We’re going to be adding a couple more players this week. So far it’s been pretty good. We’ve made a lot of progress. Every day we keep getting better. Every day I see something that I like more and more. Our effort’s been great. But once again, we’ll know more Friday night when we play Australia.”
USA Basketball.com also chatted with Connecticut Sun forward Asjha Jones. Here is what she had to say:
How is training camp going so far, despite the small group of players?
”The practice players have been great. They’re giving us a chance to play against quicker, bigger people, and also not killing each other in practice with nine, ten players.”
Has the team started to gel, have the previous camps helped you get chemistry quickly?
”It’s helped, but you spend so much time apart playing in different systems. I think that everyday gets a little bit better. We’re starting to read each other better. We’re learning the plays and they’re becoming more natural for us.”
Does it help to be playing for your college coach and having so many UConn players out here?
“Yes, it does. It’s awesome, and we have them (Connecticut assistant coaches) on the sideline, too. So when we have a question we can just run over and ask one of the assistant coaches. They’ve been a great help.”
What’s the key to this team going to be?
“Taking care of the ball and taking good shots. We have all the talent in the world, but if we don’t take good shots, it kind of defeats the purpose. If we take care of the ball and take shots when we’re open, I think we’re going to be great.”
Are you looking forward to going to Hartford and playing in the XL Center again?
“Yes, it’s going to be great. It’s just going to be great. Our fans are going to be really welcoming. With so many UConn players, I think we’re going to have a great turnout. It’s going to be really great.”
The 2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Charles missed the first two sessions while attending a family function. The addition of Charles brought the team roster to 10, and it gave USA a sizeable inside presence.
As the team prepares to travel north for games at the XL Center in Hartford against Australia Friday and Spain on Sunday, USA Basketball.com spoke to coach Geno Auriemma about the practices thus far.
“I think it’s been pretty good,” Auriemma said of the practices. “We’ve gotten better every day. We’re improving. We added a player with Tina Charles, which made it a little bit better, because we were really low on post players. We’re going to be adding a couple more players this week. So far it’s been pretty good. We’ve made a lot of progress. Every day we keep getting better. Every day I see something that I like more and more. Our effort’s been great. But once again, we’ll know more Friday night when we play Australia.”
USA Basketball.com also chatted with Connecticut Sun forward Asjha Jones. Here is what she had to say:
How is training camp going so far, despite the small group of players?
”The practice players have been great. They’re giving us a chance to play against quicker, bigger people, and also not killing each other in practice with nine, ten players.”
Has the team started to gel, have the previous camps helped you get chemistry quickly?
”It’s helped, but you spend so much time apart playing in different systems. I think that everyday gets a little bit better. We’re starting to read each other better. We’re learning the plays and they’re becoming more natural for us.”
Does it help to be playing for your college coach and having so many UConn players out here?
“Yes, it does. It’s awesome, and we have them (Connecticut assistant coaches) on the sideline, too. So when we have a question we can just run over and ask one of the assistant coaches. They’ve been a great help.”
What’s the key to this team going to be?
“Taking care of the ball and taking good shots. We have all the talent in the world, but if we don’t take good shots, it kind of defeats the purpose. If we take care of the ball and take shots when we’re open, I think we’re going to be great.”
Are you looking forward to going to Hartford and playing in the XL Center again?
“Yes, it’s going to be great. It’s just going to be great. Our fans are going to be really welcoming. With so many UConn players, I think we’re going to have a great turnout. It’s going to be really great.”
