September 2007 Archives

Sept 30th- Candice Better Not Miss Cardinal Basketball

Candice Wiggins was named as an alternate to the USA Basketball Women's FIBA Americas Championship Team. That means she will travel to South America and practice with the squad prior to the tournament, which will be held from Sept. 26-30 in Valdivia, Chile. And it also means she could be on the floor when Team USA attempts to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

I know she must be excited and all, but what about Stanford practices? Let's see what her college coach says "This is a fabulous opportunity for Candice," Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. "I think this says she has a legitimate shot at making the Olympic team. I know they love her." Yes, but what about college practice and games? Oh yeah, Wiggins will miss the first few weeks of preseason workouts with the Cardinal, but will be back in plenty of time for official practices, which begin in mid-October. Coach again: "We're excited for her and we want her back," VanDerveer said.

So Candice is making an impact already with the "seniors" on the senior team. Candice had 18 points against Australia, where they beat them 96-64. The only other U.S. player in double figures was Courtney Paris (12 points) of Piedmont High and the University of Oklahoma. Speaking of which, check out Candice and Courtney on the USA team. And here she is playing defense against those same Aussies. And yet she is also photogenic when she drives, and shoots, too. You go Candice! However, with all this USA business, is Candice neglecting Stanford?

Candice made it as one of five internationally experienced players to join the USA Senior Women's Basketball team, sezs USA Basketball. In addition to Wiggins, the four other players added to Team USA were al f rom the WNBA--none of them are collgiate! They are Rebekkah Brunson (Sacramento Monarchs), Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun), Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs), and Loree Moore (New York Liberty). And I quote, "The four WNBA players had terrific seasons and have played internationally, while Candice is one of the top collegiate players in the country." Here that Tennesse, one of the top collegiate players. (see that stupid photo of Candice and the Olympic rings coming out of her head.)

C: Hey R, I have more news about Candice...

R: Yeah, what is it?

C: Candice is being included in the pool to be considered for the 2008 Olympics.

R: "To be considered"? What does that mean? And what is this pool you talk about? Candice doesn't play basketball in a pool.

C: Well, "to be considered" means she is in contention for the Olympic Team, Anyway, what makes that even more amazing is they only picked 4 collegiate players. Four, count 'em, four, out of the whole country, Candice was one of them.

R: Who were the others?

C: The "others" are Tennessee's Candace Parker (boo Tennessee), LSU's Sylvia Fowles and Oklahoma's Courtney Paris.

R: Wow, not bad company...

C: But no Jayne....

R: Jayne will get her day. You notice those are all older players. Jayne only has one year of college under her belt. You'll see here there soon enough.

C: Good Point. And Candice did get a lot of international experience this summer, as she was on the women's under-21 world championship team and the Pan-Am team. By the way, she was the captain of both squads. Here's her picture with the Olympic rings, which should be cool, but instead, they look like Mickey Mouse ears coming out of her head, hee hee.

R: Hey, did you know the national team will be making a stop at Stanford on the way to the Olympics? The Cardinal will host the exhibition game Nov. 15 at Maples Pavilion, and I am so excited.

C: Can Candice be on both teams?

R: She better not miss any Stanford games for the Olympics. Jayne still needs someone to throw her the ball!

C: I agree, Stanford should come first.