Former Lady Tiger center Sylvia Fowles has transitioned from purple and gold to red, white and blue. Fowles and former LSU guard Seimone Augustus are among 29 U.S. national team members vying for a spot on the 12-member Olympic squad. If selected, they would become the first former Lady Tigers to compete for Olympic gold. Now playing with the U.S. team in the Good Luck Beijing Tournament, Fowles aims to impress U.S. coach Anne Donovan and prove her worth for the U.S. Olympic team. Donovan said Fowles has been a “joy” to coach while becoming “quite a presence” on the court. Fowles led Team USA to victory with 20 points and 10 rebounds in Monday’s game against South Korea. Donovan said Fowles’ chances of making the Olympic team are “good,” and Augustus’ chances are “extremely good.” “A lot of countries haven’t seen [Fowles], nor are they prepared for her,” Donovan said. “She has such power and strength. She’s a unique player. We don’t have a lot of Sylvias in this game.” But the lack of international or professional playing experience could be Fowles’ weakness. Those competing for a place on the Olympic team include veterans Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson. All have played on previous Olympic squads. Former Tennessee rival Candace Parker is also vying for a spot. Fowles, drafted No. 2 overall by the WNBA Chicago Sky, will get about six weeks of professional play before the league breaks for the Olympics. “I have a good chance, but there is so much talent,” Fowles said Monday from Beijing. “I would be very thrilled that I had the opportunity to represent the country. It’s something that you dream about.” Augustus is wrapping up her overseas basketball season before returning to the WNBA Minnesota Lynx. Donovan said Augustus’ Olympic chances have greatly increased because of her improved defensive skills. “She understood that to make the Olympic team, she needed to develop on both ends of the floor,” Donovan said. “She’s been very receptive to that.” After the Good Luck Beijing Tournament concludes Saturday, Donovan and a USA Basketball selection committee will begin discussions about the Olympic roster. Donovan is expected to have significant input, but the final decision will rest with the committee, said USA Basketball spokeswoman Caroline Williams. Williams said although the Olympics begin Aug. 8, a final deadline for selecting the team has not been set. But fans should expect the roster relatively soon, as the previous Olympic team was announced in mid-May 2004. If Fowles needs some insight into the process, she shouldn’t have to look far. LSU coach and then-Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor led the 2004 U.S. Olympic team to gold in Athens. Chancellor said earlier this past season that Fowles should be on the 2008 Olympic team because of her rebounding abilities.
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