FIBA Basketball

    USA Coach Dawn Staley hails Whalen as her favorite ever USA playmaker

    COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - New USA head coach Dawn Staley has paid the ultimate tribute to the now retired Lindsay Whalen after describing her as her favorite of all time.

    COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - New USA head coach Dawn Staley has paid the ultimate tribute to the now retired Lindsay Whalen after describing her as her favorite of all time.

    That will be music to the ears of the outgoing point guard, who won't be in this week's mini-camp as Staley gets to work ahead of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.

    The play-caller will welcome 22 players as preparations continue for her first major tournament later this year, when she will lead USA's defense of their world crown.

    USA 22-player squad for February preparation camp
    Sue Bird Tina Charles Layshia Clarendon Elena Delle Donne
    Skylar Diggins-Smith Stefanie Dolson Brittney Griner Allisha Gray
    Chelsea Gray Tiffany Hayes Jewell Lloyd Angel McCoughtry
    Tiffany Mitchell Maya Moore Nnemkadi Ogwumike Kelsey Plum
    Brittney Sykes Diana Taurasi Morgan Tuck Sydney Wiese
    Courtney Williams Elizabeth Williams    


    But, she will have to have one eye on a replacement for Whalen who ends an illustrious career with a pair of Olympic gold medals and two FIBA Women's World Championship titles to her name.

    "Lindsay Whalen is probably my favorite point guard of all time, and that’s nothing against Sue Bird. But, Lindsay, I like her swag; I like her toughness; I like her mindset," said Staley.

    “She’s always thinking about ways in which to out-fox the opponent. I’m just sad that I don’t get an opportunity to coach her in this capacity, but I’m glad that I got a chance to coach her when I was an assistant coach on the 2014 and 2016 USA teams."


    Meanwhile Whalen herself added: "I’ve cherished all of my time with USA Basketball since I was 20. This was a very tough decision, but I feel like it’s time in my career to step aside and give another young player the opportunity.

    "I started with USA Basketball in Brazil, so finishing at the Olympics back in Brazil seems like I’ve come full circle."

    The three day camp is at the University of South Carolina, with 16 members of the 2017-20 USA National Team pool, plus an additional six athletes who were invited to participate by the USA Selection Committee. The number of participants may change, since both Sylvia Fowles and Breanna Stewart are competing in China and engaged in the WCBA Play-Offs.

    FIBA