July 9, 2012

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Maryland women's basketball forward Alyssa Thomas is one of four of the nation's top women's players named to the 2012 USA Basketball 3x3 National Team Sunday.

Thomas, along with Skylar Diggins, Bria Hartley and Chiney Ogwumike, will represent the USA in the inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Championship next month. The four were selected after winning gold at the 2012 USA Basketball 3x3 National Team Training Camp/Tournament, which concluded at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) on Sunday.

"The selected women's team went undefeated throughout the 2012 USA Basketball 3x3 National Team Tournament and brought to the tournament the level of intensity they are used to playing at, while also coming together as a team," said USA Basketball 3X3 Program Director Travis Johnson. "The competitive edge they showed at the tournament is the starting point of how we expect them to perform at the FIBA 3x3 World Championship."

They went undefeated on the weekend, going 3-0 on Sunday and defeating a team consisting of players from the University of Denver 21-10 in the title game. Diggins and Thomas each scored seven points to lead their team in the championship game.

The members of the 2012 USA Basketball 3x3 National Team will represent the U.S. at the inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Championship played August 23 - 26 in Athens, Greece. Prior to departing for Athens, the team will reconvene at the USOTC for a training camp from August 17 - 20.

The team was chosen by the 2012 USA Basketball 3x3 National Team Committee, consisting of Johnson, as well as Washington Wizards Vice President of Player Personnel Milt Newton and Deer Lakes High School (Cheswick, Pa.) boys basketball head coach Joe Lewandowski.

Thomas was named ACC Player of the Year in March and was just the second underclassman to earn the honor. She was also named a WBCA Division I Coaches' All-American in April.

Maryland ended the season with a 31-5 overall record, winning 10 of its last 11 games. The Terrapins won the program's 10th ACC title in March and notched the fourth 30-win season in school history. They advanced to their ninth Elite Eight and fourth in head coach Brenda Frese's 10 years.

For more on the 3X3 team, log on to http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/3x3/12_national_team_announcement.html/