Phoenix Mercury G Diana Taurasi Named To 2012 U.S. Olympic Team

On Friday, USA Basketball announced the first 11 members of the U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team. One of the starters who will be representing the United States in London at the 2012 Olympics will be Phoenic Mercury guard Diana Taurasi.

This marks the third Olympic team for Taurasi, who helped bring home the gold in her first two trips.

Also named to the squad are two-time Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever); 2004 Olympic gold medalist Swin Cash (Chicago Sky); 2008 Olympic gold medalists Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks); as well as Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx) and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx) who are playing on the Olympic stage for the first time. One slot remains for the eventual 12-member U.S. squad and the final athlete will be selected at a later date.

All 11 players named to the team play in the WNBA. They will be looking to earn the United States' fifth straight gold medal in the event and seventh gold medal overall.

For all news and information regarding the WNBA, please visit Swish Appeal.