Parker, Leslie among players chosen for Games

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Lisa Leslie will have help from Los Angeles Sparks teammate Candace Parker when the U.S. women's basketball team tries to win a fourth straight Olympic gold medal.

They were two of the nine players placed on the team Saturday. The announcement came before Los Angeles played Washington in a WNBA game.

Leslie won gold medals at the last three Olympics. Former U.S. star Teresa Edwards won four Olympic titles, but a bronze in 1992 interrupted her run from 1984-2000.

Also on the team for Beijing are Olympic veterans Katie Smith, Tina Thompson, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird. This will be Smith's third Olympics. Cappie Pondexter, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles will make their Olympic debuts.

"I'm just thrilled to have these nine players officially named to the team," U.S. Olympic coach Anne Donovan said. "It's such a great mixture of Olympic gold medalists with some really tremendous young talent."

The other three members will be announced by July 1. Possible candidates include Kara Lawson, Swin Cash, Lindsey Harding and, Lindsay Whalen.

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