MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL USA Basketball today announced that Lynx players Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen were among 11 players named to the final 2012 U.S. Olympic Womens Basketball Team. This is the fourth consecutive Olympic year in which the Lynx have been represented on the final Olympic roster, with Augustus (2008) and Katie Smith (2000, 2004) previously donning the red, white and blue. One roster spot remains open for the eventual U.S. squad and will be filled by the National Team Player Selection Committee at a later date.

"We are extremely proud of Seimone, Maya and Lindsay for having the distinct opportunity to represent their country in the Olympics," said Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith. Each of these women is incredibly talented and we look forward to seeing them play in front of the entire world this summer. We wish them the best in their quest for gold this summer.

After winning the gold medal with Team USA in 2008, Seimone Augustus (6-1, guard/forward) is looking to repeat the success in London this year. She helped Team USA sweep their way through the Olympics in 2008, averaging 7.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in eight games.

Moore (6-0, forward), who has a long history with USA Basketball, will make her first Olympic appearance with Team USA after the United States qualified for the London Olympics during the 2010 FIBA World Championship. She averaged 18.3 minutes during the competition, averaging 8.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Whalen (5-9, guard) is also making her first trip to the Olympics as a part of Team USA. A teammate of Moores on the 2010 USA World Championship Team, Whalen averaged 5.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.4 minutes off the bench during the competition. She scored a team-high 16 points to help lead the USA to victory in the second round over Canada.

Joining the Lynx players on the final roster are: Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Chicago Sky), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).

Team USA is seeking its fifth consecutive and seventh overall gold medal, as well as extending its 33-game Olympic winning streak. The 2012 Olympic basketball tournament will be held from July 28 to August 12 in London at the Olympic Park Basketball Arena (preliminary round and quarterfinals) and North Greenwich Arena (semifinals and finals).

Contact information:

Alex King, Minnesota Lynx, (612) 673-1632, king@lynxbasketball.com

www.lynxbasketball.com

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