Basketball: Wilson picked as finalist for national team

The wait wasn’t easy for Pitt women’s basketball player Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson as she… The wait wasn’t easy for Pitt women’s basketball player Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson as she listened to find out if she was named a finalist for the USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team.

“It was really funny, because when they called the names, they did it in alphabetical order,” Wilson said.

But in the end, it was worth the wait.

Wilson joins 13 other finalists who lasted through the trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Twenty-seven participants were originally invited to the trials, and the USA Junior National Team Committee made the selections.

“It was just such a great experience to be there with girls from across the country who are the best at their positions,” Wilson said.

Beginning June 9, Wilson and the rest of the finalists will travel back to Colorado Springs for training camp. The final roster, consisting of 12 players, will be announced before the team leaves for the FIBA World Championships in Thailand. The games are set to take place July 23 through Aug. 2. The United States opens preliminary round play on July 23 against Spain.

Wilson said she thought her leadership skills impressed the committee. She is trying to become a leader on and off the court, she said, by working hard and setting a solid example. When the other girls weren’t performing well or got down on themselves, Wilson said she would talk to the other players and tell them to keep going.

Although her offense wasn’t the best, Wilson said she concentrated on having a solid tryout on defense.

“I think the committee liked my ability to run the floor and get back on defense,” Wilson said. “Even when my offense wasn’t working, I continued to work hard on the defensive end.”

When Wilson started playing basketball, she said she never thought she would get an opportunity of this caliber.

“I’m going to work hard and hopefully have the opportunity to win gold for my country,” she said.

Wilson started as a freshman for the Panthers last season, earning a place on the Big East All-Freshman team while helping Pitt reach the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season. She led the team in blocks (44) for the season, while averaging 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Wilson attended Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School and was the city league player of the year for both her junior and senior season. She was also named the freshman of the year in 2005.

And with a chance to play on an international stage, Wilson isn’t taking anything lightly.

“I’m just really excited and can’t believe I’m here and have the opportunity to represent my country,” she said.