There's no reason we should continue to send our best players overseas. Edwards, who played when few took notice of the women's game, marvels at the attention it now attracts. Girls can buy Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes and even Teresa Edwards jerseys, and Swoopes has her own endorsement contract with Nike. We've never been on equal footing with the men and probably never will be. But I don't feel like we're being left out at all.
People finally realize little girls can play basketball, as well as little boys.
And there are big girls they can watch to become better. VanDerveer is glad to have Edwards on her side entering the Olympic arena. The coach has used her most experienced player at both point guard and off guard, a situation Edwards has welcomed. It probably will continue during the Olympics. When Edwards plays the point, the U.S. can put a more veteran lineup on the floor, or she can move to the other guard spot and combine with hard-nosed point guard Dawn Staley.