May 23, 2006

NC State junior forward Khadijah Whittington was named to the USA Basketball U-20 list of 18 finalists for a spot on the team that will compete in the 2006 USA FIBA Americas Championship later this summer. The 6-foot-1 native of Roanoke, Va. was named to the roster after three days of trials in Colorado Springs, Colo. May 18-21 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The finalists were selected by the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee, which is chaired by Sue Donohoe, the NCAA's vice president of Division I women's basketball.

Whittington was NC State's leading rebounder (8.0 rpg, 248 total) and free throw shooter by attempts (116) while helping the Wolfpack to its 19th overall and third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Additionally, the 2005 ACC All-Freshman team member, led team with five double doubles. For her career, the 6-foot-1 post player has 400 rebounds in two seasons, is one of just 12 players all time at NC State to record 19 rebounds in a game, has seven double doubles, 28 double figure games and 10 double figure rebound games.

The 18 finalists will reconvene in late July for training camp at a site to be determined to begin preparations as they look to defend the United States' title at the 2006 FIBA Americas U20 Championship. The final 12-member USA U20 National Team will be announced prior to departing for the FIBA Americas U20 Championship, scheduled to be held Aug. 9-13 in Mexico City, Mexico. Featuring eight teams from North, South and Central Americas and the Caribbean, the top three finishing teams qualify for the 2007 FIBA U21 Women's World Championship that will be held July 27-Aug. 5 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Scheduled for Aug. 9-13 at a site TBD, the tournament will feature eight teams from North, South and Central Americas and the Caribbean. The top three finishing teams qualify for the 2007 FIBA U21 Women's World Championship that will be held July 27-Aug. 5 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The 18 finalists athletes include Anderson; DeWanna Bonner (Auburn / Fairfield, Ala.); Carson; Alexis Gray-Lawson (California / Oakland, Calif.); Devanei Hampton (California / Oakland, Calif.); Jillian Harmon (Stanford / Lake Oswego, Ore.); Larkins; Camille LeNoir (Southern California / Los Angeles, Calif.); Victoria Lucas-Perry (Michigan State / Flint, Mich.); Renee Montgomery (Connecticut / St. Albans, W.Va.); Marscilla Packer (Ohio State / Pickerington, Ohio); Ashley Paris (Oklahoma / Piedmont, Calif.); Courtney Paris; Kia Vaughn (Rutgers / Bronx, N.Y.); Ashley Walker (California / Modesto, Calif.); Erica White (Louisiana State / Jacksonville, Fla.); Khadijah Whittington (North Carolina State / Roanoke, Va.) and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue / Naperville, Ill.).

Sixteen of the 18 athletes under consideration for a final roster spot have previous USA Basketball experience. In addition to the 2005 FIBA U19 World Championship gold medal, Anderson, Carson, Larkins and Courtney Paris also helped the American women to the gold medal at the 2005 International Sports Invitational against top junior national teams from Australia, Russia and China. The previous summer Carson, Larkins and Courtney Paris were members of the USA U18 National Team that earned the United States' berth in the U19 Worlds after claiming the 2004 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Additionally, Carson, Gray-Lawson, Hampton, Harmon, Lucas-Perry, Montgomery, Packer, Ashley Paris, Courtney Paris, Vaughn, White, Whittington and Wisdom-Hylton have all competed in a USA Basketball Youth Development Festival; while LeNoir attended the 2005 USA Junior National Team Trials.

For more on the U-20 Championship and USA Basketball, visit: www.usabasketball.com.

QUOTES FROM Khadijah Whittington

This is your third trials, you've been cut twice before. What were you feeling when you heard your name called as one of the 18 finalists this time?
Oh it was a great feeling. I was just happy that my name was called. I was just happy to be here in the first place, regardless of the outcome, that was big for me. But when they called my name, I was like `oh boy!' I'm going to go home and get ready because I want to make the (final) 12.

Were you nervous at all or did you feel pretty good about your performance this weekend?
I was a little nervous, but I felt like I was hustling more than last time. I shot more. I know the last couple of times I tried out I didn't shoot a lot, I kept passing, but I think overall I just hustled more this time.

Do you think you'll be able to fit into coach Joanne P. McCallie's style of play?
I think I can, yeah. I think I can do a lot. I just need to go work on my game some more before I come back to the camp.

What would it mean for you to represent your country internationally?
It would be great. I've never done it before, but I'm ready to step up to the challenge.

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