The 2002 USA Basketball Women's World Championship Team survived a close call against the Russians in the final game to finish a perfect 9-0 and claim a record seventh gold medal at the 14th FIBA World Championship. Selected as the 2002 World Championship Most Valuable Player, Lisa Leslie's 17.2 points and 8.1 rebounds a game led the Americans in its quest for gold. Additionally, Leslie was joined on the All-World Championship Team by U.S. guard Shannon Johnson, Russia's Elena Baranova, Australia's Lauren Jackson and Spain's Amaya Valdemoro.

Opening preliminary round play in Zhangjiagang, the United States dismantled 1998 World Championship silver medalist Russia 89-55 on Sept. 14 as Leslie scored 20 and Sheryl Swoopes pitched in 17 points.

The U.S. earned a lopsided victory over Taiwan 80-39 on Sept. 15 as Natalie Williams' 16 points led four players who scored in double digits.

Closing out the first round with a 105-48 thrashing of Lithuania on Sept. 16, the USA offense was spurred by 20 points from Swoopes and 15 from Leslie as five players finished with double-digit scoring efforts.

Moving to Changzhou for preliminary second round action, the Americans ran through Cuba 87-44 on Sept. 18, behind the one-two punch of Leslie and Swoopes, who scored 20 and 19 points, respectively.

Paced by 17 points apiece from Tamika Catchings and Swoopes, the United States crushed 2000 Olympic fourth place finishers South Korea 91-53 on Sept. 19.

Finishing off France 101-68 on Sept. 20 as Katie Smith and Swoopes shared high scoring honors with 19 points each, the U.S. advanced to the medal round as the only undefeated team remaining in the tournament.

It was Shannon Johnson's night as she accounted for 20 points off the bench to lead the United States in Nanjing to a 94-55 victory over Spain in the quarterfinals on Sept. 23

The Sept. 24 semifinals pitted the U.S. against 2000 Olympic silver medalists Australia. The Americans, receiving a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds from Leslie, persevered through a tough battle and advanced to the gold medal game after claiming a 71-56 victory.

In a rematch of the 1998 World Championship gold medal game, the United States again survived a Russian fourth quarter rally and came away with a 79-74 win and the gold medal on Sept. 25, behind 18 and 17 points from Swoopes and Leslie, respectively. Although the U.S. carried a 10-point, 65-55, lead into the final 10 minutes, Russia cut the U.S. advantage to 72-71 with 3:28 remaining. The U.S. went into Leslie who was fouled, and after making one of two free throws, the U.S. led 73--71 with 3:05 to play.

Johnson made a steal for the U.S., which led to Leslie being fouled with 1:26 remaining, and after Leslie again made one of two free throws, the USA lead stood at 74-71. Russia missed on its next possession and Leslie came away with the rebound, then hit a jumper with 54 seconds left to push the U.S. lead to 76-71.

After Baranova made one of two free throws to make the score 76-72 with 37.1 showing on the clock, Swoopes was fouled on a drive and made one of two free throws to make it 77-72 . Russia made a pair of free throws with 12.1 seconds left to cut the deficit to 77-74, but on the USA's following possession, Swoopes was fouled with 8.9 seconds left and after making both charity shots, the U.S. moved ahead 79-74 and went on to post the win.

In addition to Leslie's team leading 17.2 points and 8.1 rebounds an outing, two-time Olympic gold medalist Swoopes averaged 16.9 points and a team high 2.7 steals per game, Catchings averaged 10.0 points and USA second bests of 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals a game, and two-time World Championship and double Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley passed off for a team best 24 assists.

The U.S. dominated its opponents in every aspect during the tournament and finished among the top five in every major statistical category. Ranked at the top of the 16-nation field in scoring offense (88.6 ppg.) and defense (54.7 ppg.), scoring margin (33.9 ppg.), rebounds (41.9 rpg.) and defensive field goal percentage (.352); the United States finished ranked second in free throw percentage (.779); third in field goal percentage (.488) and rebounding margin (10.8); and fifth in 3-point field goal percentage. The USA's defensive pressure also resulted in the lowest U.S. opponent's scoring average dating back to the fourth World Championship in 1964 - well before the days of the 3-pointer and full court game that we know today.

2002 USA WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER

2002 USA WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS