Congratulations to the USA Women’s National Team, the 2010 FIBA World Champions.

After finishing a disappointing third place in 2006, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings had a chance to return to international competition and redeem themselves. However like the Men’s National team who faced the host country Turkey in the finals, they had to get past the host country and a sold-out crowd of supporters in Karlovy Vary. Thanks to contributions from both the veterans and young, rising stars, Team USA defeated the Czech Republic 89-69 and captured their eighth title.

I’m happy for my good friend Geno Auriemma, who has been the head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team since 1985. Geno will add his World Champion’s trophy to a case already filled with seven NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship trophies. I know he must be extremely proud of the effort his squad put forth and the results they achieved.