Women's basketball player named to 2001 USA team

Wright becomes third Boilermaker named to squad

Shereka Wright, a sophomore on the Purdue women’s basketball team, has been named to the 2001 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team. The bulk of the team was announced Monday following four days of trials in Colorado Springs, Colo. Eleven of the 33 trials participants made the cut, with three still vying for the 12th spot and four more chosen as alternates.

"I’m happy; it’s such an honor," Wright said. "I think that after playing my first year in college, making the Final Four and playing against some great players gave me the confidence to come out here and do my best."

Wright is the ninth player from Purdue to be selected for USA Basketball competition. She will be the third to compete in the World University Games, joining former teammates Camille Cooper and Katie Douglas, now in the WNBA.

As a freshman for the NCAA runner-up Boilermakers, Wright averaged 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds. She was named to the Big Ten Coaches’ All-Freshman team, and also was named to the 2001 NCAA Women’s Final Four All-Tournament team after averaging 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks against No. 15 Southwest Missouri State and No. 2 Notre Dame. Wright collected season bests of 25 points (vs. Michigan), nine rebounds (vs. Iowa), eight assists (at Minnesota), three blocks (vs. Iowa) and three steals (twice, last vs. Xavier). She played all 38 games, starting seven.

Wright was one of only two sophomores-to-be invited to the trials, and is the youngest player on the roster. Her teammates are: Chantelle Anderson (Vanderbilt); Cori Enghusen (Stanford); Chrissy Floyd (Clemson); Caton Hill (Oklahoma); Kara Lawson (Tennessee); Ashley McElhiney (Vanderbilt); Carisse Moody (N.C. State); Jenny Roulier (Colorado); Ayana Walker (Louisiana Tech); and Shaquala Williams (Oregon).

Either Wisconsin’s Tamara Moore, Washington’s Loree Payne or Stanford’s Lindsey Yamasaki will be the 12th player. Alternates are Danielle Crockrom (Baylor); Shelia Lambert (Baylor); Mandy Nightingale (Colorado) and Aiysha Smith (Tyler J.C.).

Debbie Ryan of Virginia will handle coaching duties, assisted by Iowa’s Lisa Bluder and East Carolina’s Dee Stokes.

The team will reconvene Aug. 6-11 in Colorado Springs for a training camp. The final 12-member team will then train Aug. 12-15 at a site yet to be determined. The team will depart for Beijing, China, site of the games, on Aug. 16. The competition runs from Aug. 22-31.

Boilers miss chance to play in NCAA tournament, again

Women's basketball player named to 2001 USA team

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