It will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the Seattle Storm at all this season to hear that both Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd have both been named as finalists for the 2016 Olympic Women’s Basketball Team! If Bird makes it to the Olympics, she will be up for her fourth Olympic Gold Medal. Loyd, the 2015 Rookie of the Year recipient, is looking forward toward her first time in the Olympics if selected.

There are 25 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team in tall, including 15 finalists who have 41 Olympic and FIBA World Championship gold medals between them. Loyd and Bird have their work cut out for them as they prepare to enroll in training camp from February 21 through 23, but Seattle fans are sure the two will both make it to play in the Games. Between Bird’s proven track record, fan base and skills and Loyd’s power, charisma and drive, the two would definitely contribute to an unstoppable team.

USA and Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma sounded particularly excited to have added Jewell Loyd to the pool this year, saying, “I think her addition is because of some of the success she had during the summer playing in Seattle.” She also said that Loyd is “one of the best young players in the league and deserves to be there.” That is some high praise coming from the USA coach, which much give Loyd a great shot at the team! Of course, it all comes down to performance at camp.

The camp will take place at the University of Connecticut. Players attending the camp were chosen by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee, but only 12 of the 25 women will make it to the actual Olympic Team. Carol Callan, USA Basketball Women’s National Team Director and chair of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee, says the task is always a very difficult one for the committee to make, particularly with the mixed group of veteran players and rookies, tried and true talent and experience versus youth and speed. The Olympics will be taking place in Rio.

What do you think of the players selected for the finalist list? Some of the other players chosen as finalists include Seimone Augustus of Minnesota Lynx, Ella Delle Donne of Chicago Sky, Tamika Catchings of Indiana Fever and Sylvia Fowles of Minnesota Lynx. Click here for a complete list.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia