Sue Bird added to Team USA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Sue Bird completed a rare triple Thursday and joined WNBA champions DeLisha Milton and Tamecka Dixon as additions Thursday to the United States women's basketball team.

Bird, Milton and Dixon all have previous international experience and will play for Team USA in the World Championships next month in China. They were selected by the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee.

"I'm happy with the team the committee has put together," said Team USA Coach Van Chancellor, the coach of the four-time WNBA champion Houston Comets. "We've got strengths at every position and I think we have the right mix to go over there and make a run for the gold medal."

Bird played for the U.S. in the 2000 R. William Jones Cup, guiding that squad to a 4-0 record and a gold medal. She won a national championship with the University of Connecticut in March before the Seattle Storm made the 5-9 guard the top overall pick in the WNBA draft.

"It would be an awesome year (to win a college title and world title)," Bird said. "For me to be named among some of the best players in the world right now, to be able to play with them is also a great honor."

Milton was a member of the 1998 world team and 2000 Olympic squad that won gold medals. The 6-1 forward of the Los Angeles Sparks originally was picked for the 2002 team but withdrew to continue playing with her Italian League team.

"It gives me a trmendous feeling of gratitude, knowing that I'm looked upon as someone who can drape the USA flag across my shoulders via a uniform, to go in and fight for your country through a sport," Milton said.

"In light of everything that's been going on since the terrorist attacks, I think we'll step out on the court with a lot more pride now. We want to show people all across the world that we may stumble, but we won't fall."

Dixon is a teammate of Milton's on the Sparks, who won the 2001 WNBA championship. The 5-9 guard's only experience is with Team USA in training camp earlier this year.

"I'll definitely supply a strong work ethic," Dixon said. "I practice hard and I'm going to do anything that coach Chancellor asks of me, whether it's being a defensive stopper or whatever. I don't know what my role will be, but I'm ready to contribute in any way I can."

Team USA is comprised entirely of WNBA players. Bird, Milton and Dixon join Sparks center Lisa Leslie, Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings, Orlando Miracle guard Shannon Johnson, Minnesota Lynx guard Katie Smith, Charlotte Sting guard Dawn Staley, Houston Comets guard-forward Sheryl Swoopes, Comets forward Tina Thompson and Utah Starzz forward Natalie Williams.

One more player will be added to the roster. Chancellor is assisted by Sting Coach Anne Donovan and will receive two more assistants.

The United States went 9-0 in claiming the gold medal in Germany in 1998. In 12 appearances in the World Championship, Team USA is 71-20 with six gold medals, one silver and one bronze.