USA/RUS - Augustus back on top

MOSCOW (Olympics) - Seimone Augustus normally wins when she plays basketball.

She’s a champion.

But winning or losing these days in some ways isn’t the most important thing for USA international.

Augustus loved basketball and chose to become a professional in the sport because it was fun.

However, it was no fun when Augustus tore her left ACL in 2009, or in 2010 when she had fibroid tumors.

She recovered from the ACL injury and had surgery to remove the tumors.

Augustus then set off on a course the past year that has won her admirers all over the world.

The Baton Rouge native, after being forced to miss the 2010 FIBA World Championship in the Czech Republic, played in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx and led the team to its first championship.

She averaged 22 points and 4.5 rebounds in the play-offs and was named the 2011 WNBA Finals MVP.

This season, she’s been instrumental for a Sparta&K Moscow Region side that made it to the Final Eight of the EuroLeague Women, despite the absence of key players because of injuries.

“I’m just having fun,” she said to FIBA.com.

“That’s the difference compared to previous years.

“I’m enjoying basketball and it’s just great to have fun.

“I don’t know if any other players could have gone through the sort of things that I went through the past year and a half or so.

“It just makes me appreciate basketball, and being healthy and being here that much more.”

Augustus is much loved in Minnesota.

“It’s a real rollercoaster ride,” Augustus said.

“I’m just glad that finally, through all the hardships to be able to finally get to the (WNBA) championship and play with players like (Lynx teammates) Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore – the list goes on.

“To be able to experience it with a great group of girls, or women, was that much more enjoyable.”

The Olympic call

One of the sweetest moments of all for Augustus came when USA Basketball recently told her that she was among the 11 players that would definitely play at the London Games.

“It’s always exciting to represent your country to be considered one of your country’s elite players,” she said.

Missing out on the Olympics doesn’t mean others not selected aren’t elite players.

The United States had several stars not included among the 11, including Final Eight MVP Asjha Jones of Rivas Ecopolis and Augustus’ Sparta&K teammate Candice Dupree.

Both were members of the USA’s World Championship-winning side in the Czech Republic.

Augustus said: “It’s hard to choose and you know what?

“The committee has done an excellent job of selecting the team over the past few years but for anyone that doesn’t make the team, it’s going to be a disappointing feeling.

“But you have to think there are so many great players, it’s hard to choose one over the other.”

Augustus says she spoke to Dupree about being left out.

“We’ve talked briefly about it and she’s disappointed but understands the process and if she doesn’t make this team, this motivates her to make it back for the World Championship in two years,” she said.

There is still one place up for grabs, however, so one player will be elated when that decision is finally made.

Back at the Games

Augustus and the USA will be aiming for a fifth Olympic title in a row.

They are the number one team in the FIBA World Rankings.

Augustus loved Beijing and she can hardly wait to travel to London and take part.

“There is no other feeling like it,” she said.

“It’s the highest of highs for a basketball player and any athlete for that matter, to be able to participate in the Olympics in London.

“It’s going to be a great experience for me because I’ve never been there, so just to be able to get out and enjoy the environment and everything that goes with it.”

The USA players are going to have fun, but they will also be acutely aware that other teams want to knock them off the pedestal.

At the Final Eight, Russia lost their four-time Olympic center Maria Stepanova of UMMC Ekaterinburg to a knee injury.

Penny Taylor is also a huge doubt for Australia after hurting her knee while playing for Fenerbahce.

“Australia is still a tough team,” Augustus said.

“They’ve always been a tough team.

“They’re just that much better with Penny.

“We still expect them to be contending for a gold medal, as well as Russia.

“Some of the players that we may not know about will have to step up and fill those shoes.

“They’re big shoes and it’s unfortunate, but they’ll be able to adapt.”

FIBA