USA – Success sweet as a player and even sweeter as a coach for Gillom

KARLOVY VARY (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - When a team has as many stars as the USA women, it's easy to overlook some of the others who often make the difference between winning and losing.
 
Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings and coach Geno Auriemma were in the spotlight from start to finish in the Czech Republic, where the Americans just won the world title.
 
Spare a thought for the others like Jennifer Gillom, an assistant to Auriemma.
 
Gillom’s main job is in Los Angeles, where she coaches the WNBA's Sparks.
 
She was blown away by the experience in the Czech Republic, where the USA played in front of large crowds and went unbeaten.
 
"I had flashbacks to memories of my time as a player," Gillom said.
 
"The spirit of the game and all of that came back into my mind.
 
"It was an awesome moment, and I’m glad that I had a chance to be on the sideline and see it from a different perspective.
 
"And to coach players of this caliber has been a wonderful experience for me."
 
Gillom accomplished a lot in her basketball career as a player.
 
The greatest achievement was the gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Seoul with the United States.
 
"My gosh, I think the feeling is even better now than it was as a player because I was able to enjoy it more, I think," she said.
 
"As a coach looking on, you are able to see things you don’t see as a player.
 
"This whole experience has been just momentous."
 
FIBA