Johnson, Williams and Wilson Chosen for Team USA Trials

May 9, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Senior guard Shenise Johnson, senior guard Riquna Williams and junior center Shawnice Wilson of the University of Miami women’s basketball team are among 35 of the nation’s top collegiate players have accepted invitations to attend the 2011 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team Trials, which will take place May 22-25 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Invitations to the trials were issued by the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee.

“I am very excited to see these three young women have an opportunity to represent their country after accepting invitations to the Team USA Trials,” said Miami head coach Katie Meier. “To be named among the Top 35 collegiate players in the country is a tremendous honor for each and to have three from a single program speaks volumes on where the Miami basketball program is today. We are extremely grateful to have these great women in our U Family and I wish them the best in the trials process.”

Johnson and Williams were each named First Team All-ACC, while Johnson was also named to the All-ACC Defensive and Tournament Teams. Williams led the conference with 21.7 points per game and was named the conference player of the week on four separate occasions.

Johnson went on to be named to four different All-America teams – including the prestigious State Farm/WBCA All-America Team. In 2009, Johnson, Lasondra Barrett, Kelsey Bone, Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike traveled to Thailand to help the USA capture the gold medal in the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship.

Wilson, who has yet to play for the Canes after sitting out the 2010-11 season due to NCAA transfer rules, played her frehman and sophomore campaigns at Pittsburgh. While with the Panthers, Wilson – a 6-6 center – averaged 6.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and recorded an impressive 83 blocks in 57 career starts. She was also named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team and was a finalist for the USA Basketball U19 squad.

The Hurricanes won the ACC Regular Season Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004 and finished the 2010-11 season with a 28-5 overall record. They currently have a program-best 24-game home win-streak inside the BankUnited Center and were ranked as high as No. 10 in the AP and ESPN/Coaches Polls this past year.

Miami is also one of only three teams to have three student-athletes invited to the trials, joining Texas A&M and Notre Dame – the two teams that met in the 2011 NCAA Championship Game.

“We truly are looking forward to an incredible group of talent at the World University Games Team Trials,” said Donohoe. “Many of these players have been involved with USA Basketball in the past, and those that are new to the process have experience at some of the country’s best programs. It will be a tough task for the committee to identify the 12-member team, and we look forward to seeing a lot of heart and hard work.”

Iowa State University’s Bill Fennelly has been tabbed head coach of the 2011 USA World University Games Team, while Suzie McConnell-Serio of Duquesne University and Terri Williams-Flournoy of Georgetown University will serve as assistant coaches. The trio will look to defend the USA’s 2009 gold medal at the 2011 World University Games women’s basketball competition August 14-21 in Shenzhen, China.

Additionally, Kenya Larkin-Landers (Trinity Valley Community College, Texas) and Mark Youngs (Davenport University, Mich.) have been selected court coaches and will assist during trials.

Following the selection of the team and/or finalists on May 25, the athletes will return home. Training will resume at the USOTC July 31-Aug. 8, prior to the team’s departure for Shenzhen, China, and the 2011 World University Games.

The World University Games are a multi-sport competition organized every other year by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The U.S. women’s basketball team will be comprised of U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled in college and have remaining eligibility.

2011 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team Training Schedule

*Collegiate athletes invited to participate in the 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team Trials may also be considered for the 2011 USA World University Games Team. Trials for both teams will take place in staggered sessions May 22-25 at the USOTC.

• Complete Team USA Release: Online // PDF
• 2011 USA World University Games Team Trials Roster
• 2011 USA World University Games – Just the Facts
• USA World Univeristy Games History