The 2018 USA Basketball Women’s World Cup Team training camp tipped-off Monday in Columbia, South Carolina, with 18 athletes all vying for a spot to play for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup later this month in Tenerife, Spain. Representing the Los Angeles Sparks are players Nneka Ogwumike and Odyssey Sims and leading the team is former Team USA member and now head coach, Dawn Staley, who was an assistant coach under previous head coach, Geno Auriemma. Ogwumike is one of the more veteran players on the team and has been a mentor to younger players.

“I’ve always been a person who leads by example, but I’ve become more vocal in the latter part of my career. I know that as a post player it’s a little different, because you’re not really directing the floor. But, you can still be a leader in a lot of different ways. So, I kind of feel the role now, with the group that we have. And, it’s important for people to know that just because you have some older, experienced players, doesn’t mean that they know everything that they’re doing. It has to be a collaborative effort.”

A 2018 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, Ogwumike has been more vocal, taking an opportunity before practice to speak to her team.

“It’s important for everyone to know, especially now, because we have a very unique group going into Worlds. Since I’ve been with USA Basketball I’m not sure that we’ve been this young, this inexperienced. We have to roll with who we have, so it’s important for people to understand, yeah, you want to make the team, but you’re not going to do that doing things that you’ve never done before. I wanted people to understand that we’re all here for one goal, that’s to win a gold medal. So, do your best and take advantage of the opportunity. I can speak from experience, you always have to take advantage of your opportunity.”

Sparks guard Odyssey Sims had similar thoughts for the youth. Sims was a 2014 Team USA FIBA medalist so she’s familiar with the settings.

“We do have a very young group, but that’s never an excuse,” said Sims. “Everyone is here competing for a spot, and some of these young one’s could make it – you never know. But, I’m here to go hard every day, be vocal, be a point guard and make sure I get everyone in the right spot.”

The USA will be in the hunt to earn a 10th World Cup gold medal at the 2018 FIBA World Cup Sept. 22-30 in Tenerife, Spain. Follow along on the team’s journey on usab.com and through USA Basketball’s social media as the team goes for gold.