Christon selected to National Team
FAYETTEVILLE — Former University of Arkansas women’s basketball star Shameka Christon earned selection to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster USA Basketball announced recently.
Twelve athletes including Christon were added to the roster bringing the total to 20, from which the 2010 USA World Championship Team and, should the USA qualify, the 2012 U.S. Olympic Teams will be selected.
“Being named to the USA National Team is such a tremendous honor and really the first step to the ultimate goal,” Christon said. “I understand that I still have a lot of work to do and I am willing and ready to do everything I need to do. However, I am very excited about the opportunity to compete and represent my country.”
In addition to Christon, USA Basketball added Alana Beard (Washington Mystics), Swin Cash (Seattle Storm), Tina Charles (Univ. of Connecticut), Candice Dupree (Chicago Sky), Lindsey Harding (Washington Mystics), Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun), Angel McCougtry (Atlanta Dream), Rene Montgomery (Connecticut Sun), Maya Moore (Univ. of Connecticut), Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx) and Candice Wiggins (Minnesota Lynx) to the roster.
University of Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma will coach the team this year.
Christon was drafted by the WNBA after graduation and played for the New York Liberty.
The U.S. team is scheduled to take part in the 2010 FIBA World Championships Sept. 23-Oct. 3 in Brno, Karlovy Vary and Ostrava, Czech Republic with the gold medal winner qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.
There are two additional chances to qualify for the Olympics, first the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
While at Arkansas Christon earned Associated Press All-America, Kodak All-American Honorable Mention, was a Wooden Award All-American finalists, and the Wade Trophy and Naismith awards.
Named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year as a senior, Christon scored 1951 career points (15.9 ppg) and had 714 rebounds (5.8 rpg).
