Nelson-Ododa, 4 ex-Huskies named to AmeriCup roster

UConn sophomore Olivia Nelson-Ododa and four former Huskies comprise five of the 12 members of the U.S.’s FIBA AmeriCup Team roster, announced Thursday afternoon.

Nelson-Ododa, Tina Charles, Stefanie Dolson, Napheesa Collier, Katie Lou Samuelson and the rest of the U.S. team will compete in the tournament, held in Puerto Rico Sept. 22-29.

Other athletes selected include Sylvia Fowles, Jordin Canada, Diamond DeShields, Arike Ogunbowale, Khadijah Sessions, Brittney Sykes and Elizabeth Williams.

Nelson-Ododa is the only college player.

“It’s always an honor to be able to play with USA across your chest,” NelsonOdoda told USA Basketball. “To be able to go down and compete, and especially to have the chance to learn from the best, it’s going to be an amazing experience.”

The roster was announced following USA Basketball’s three- day training camp in Miami. Nelson- Ododa and Christyn Williams were two of six college players invited.

Nelson-Ododa is confident that the international playing experience will help prepare for her second year with the Huskies, where she’s expected to play a larger role for a team that’s short its top scoring duo of all-time in Collier and Samuelson.

“Definitely just competing at a higher speed, a higher pace and learning a lot more than just being at school will definitely help a lot for me going into my season,” Nelson-Ododa said.

“Also, I think it will help a lot with confidence. When you’re around the best people, playing with and learning from the best people, it will be something great to carry back to my team.”