May 7, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State head women's basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne was one of two coaches appointed as assistants to Duke University head coach Joanne P. McCallie and the 2007 USA Women's U21 World Championship Team, according to an announcement by USA Basketball on Monday.
Turner Thorne, and Furman University head coach Sam Dixon were selected as assistants by the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee, which is chaired by Sue Donohoe, the NCAA's vice president of Division I women's basketball, and approved by the USA Basketball Executive Committee.
"I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Charli to this staff," said McCallie. "There is no question in my mind she's going to make a huge impact by sharing her knowledge, her ability to communicate with student-athletes, as well as her energy, enthusiasm and passion for the game."
"I am very honored to be appointed to this position," said Turner Thorne, who joins her first USA Basketball coaching staff with the USA U21 National Team. "I am really excited and feel like it's an excellent opportunity for Arizona State and me professionally. I love the coaching staff. I admire Joanne and am looking forward to the opportunity to work with her. I know Sam, who was a coach in our conference a few years ago, and I got to know him pretty well there and I like him a lot. He's not only a good coach, but a great person.
"I'll bring whatever is needed to help this team win the gold. After 14 years as a head coach I think I can bring the ability, either offensively or defensively, to help with the position work, scouting and team and individual motivation and development. Our program's been known for defense, but our team was also among the nation's best in assists and scoring this season, so as an assistant coach I'm just going to wait to be told what to do."
The 2007 FIBA U21 Championship, scheduled to be contested June 29-July 8 in Moscow, Russia, will feature 12 nations competing for the gold medal. In addition to host Russia and the United States, countries vying for the title of U21 World Champion will be Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hungary, Japan, Mali and Spain. The draw to determine the two six-nation preliminary round pools was held Feb. 9, and the USA was placed in Group B with Australia, Brazil, Hungary, Japan and Spain; while Group A consists of Belgium, Canada, China, France, Mali and host Russia.
The U.S. opens play against Australia on June 29, followed by games against Brazil on June 30 and Hungary on July 1. Following a day off, the U.S. will meet Spain on July 3 and close preliminary round play against Japan on July 4. The top four teams from each preliminary round group will advance to the July 6 quarterfinals, the semifinals will be contested on July 7 and the gold medal clash will be held on July 8.
Trials to select finalists for the eventual 12-member USA U21 squad will be held May 17-20 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Approximately 35 athletes age 21-years-old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1986) will receive invitations to attend the 2007 USA Basketball U21 National Team Trials following the USA Women's Collegiate Committee meeting at the NCAA Final Four. USA U21 National Team finalists will be selected after the USA Team Trials and will return in early-to-mid June for training camp at a site to be determined. The final squad will be announced prior to the team's departure from the United States to Europe.