United States Women's National Basketball Team Roster
The United States women's national basketball team is composed of a diverse group of elite athletes, bringing together talent from collegiate powerhouses and international clubs. This roster showcases a strategic blend of experienced veterans and rising stars, designed to compete at the highest level of international play.
Key Facts
- Head Coach: Tara VanDerveer led the team.
- Roster Composition: The team features a mix of guards, forwards, and centers.
- Height Range: Players range from 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) to 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in).
- Age Range: As of July 26, 1996, the players ranged in age from 22 to 32 years old.
Team Composition and Player Profiles
The team is structured to provide depth across all positions. The backcourt is anchored by skilled guards (G), including point guards (PG) who manage the game's tempo and shooting guards (SG) focused on scoring. The frontcourt consists of small forwards (SF), forwards (F), and centers (Ctr), providing the necessary height and strength for rebounding and interior defense.
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The Guard Rotation
The guard positions are filled by agile players such as Jennifer Azzi (PG) from Stanford and Dawn Staley from Tarbes Gespe Bigorre. Other key contributors in the backcourt include Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Teresa Edwards, and Nikki McCray, ensuring the team maintains strong ball handling and perimeter pressure.
The Forward and Center Core
The interior presence is dominated by players like Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo, both of whom provide significant height at 1.96 m and 1.93 m respectively. The forward rotation is further strengthened by Venus Lacy, Katrina McClain, Carla McGhee, Katy Steding, and Sheryl Swoopes, offering a versatile mix of scoring and defensive capabilities.
Detailed Roster Specifications
The following table provides a comprehensive breakdown of the players, their positions, physical attributes, and the clubs they represented prior to the competition.
| Name | Position | Age (as of 7/26/96) | Height | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Azzi | PG | 27 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | Stanford |
| Ruthie Bolton-Holifield | G | 29 | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | U.S. national team |
| Teresa Edwards | SG | 32 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | US Valenciennes Olympic |
| Venus Lacy | F | 29 | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | U.S. national team |
| Lisa Leslie | F/C | 24 | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | USC |
| Rebecca Lobo | F/C | 22 | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | UConn |
| Katrina McClain | F | 31 | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | Galatasaray |
| Nikki McCray | G | 24 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | U.S. national team |
| Carla McGhee | F/C | 28 | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | U.S. national team |
| Dawn Staley | G | 26 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | Tarbes Gespe Bigorre |
| Katy Steding | SF | 28 | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | U.S. national team |
| Sheryl Swoopes | F | 25 | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | U.S. national team |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the head coach of the team?
The team was led by head coach Tara VanDerveer.
Who was the tallest player on the roster?
The tallest player was Lisa Leslie, standing at 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in).
Which players played the Forward/Center (F/C) hybrid position?
Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, and Carla McGhee were listed as F/C players.
What was the age range of the players as of July 26, 1996?
The players ranged from 22 years old (Rebecca Lobo) to 32 years old (Teresa Edwards).
Which players were affiliated with collegiate programs like Stanford or UConn?
Jennifer Azzi was affiliated with Stanford, and Rebecca Lobo was affiliated with UConn.