THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009
SPORTS
25
GOLD (CONTINUED FROM 23)
ference she noticed in Thorne was her style of substitution rotation during games.
"She would bring five of us in and take the other five out," McCray said. "We were equal to each other so it didn't affect us at all."
For Taylor, playing under NBA-style rules was something he had to make an adjustment to.
"Guys were taking extra steps and the refs wouldn't call it." Taylor said at the conference. "It helped me prepare for the next level because they didn't call anything."
Taylor said that playing under those rules helped him to be more physical against guys who were bigger than his 6-foot-3-inch frame.
Both teams were undefeated going into their gold medal matches. For the World University Games finals, Team USA played against Russia, and the U-19 Team USA faced Greece. Both McCray and Taylor started in the final game. Taylor lead the team with 18 points, five steals and six assists leading Team USA to a 88 to 80 victory. Taylor played in eight total games and started in six of them. He was the leading scorer for Team USA throughout the tournament, averaging 10.8 points and 4.4 assists.
"I felt like all the hard work paid off," Taylor said at the press conference. "We practiced a lot for two and a half weeks."
McCray scored six points and had three assists in the 83-64 victory against Russia. Throughout the tournament, McCray was the second leading scorer for the team and started in five of the seven games she played.
Charles's teammate Maya Moore won National Player of the Year and was McCray's roommate during the tournament.
McCray said she had to guard Moore during scrimmages and that she and Moore had the same strengths.
"She never stops moving," McCray said.
McCray said she texted Moore to congratulate her after she won the ESPY award on Sunday for Best Female College Athlete. McCray considers her a good friend now.
"Before she was my roommate that took forever in the bathroom; now she's in my phone and I text her every day," McCray said.
McCray said winning the gold medal was bittersweet after losing the WNIT finals.
For the upcoming season, McCray will continue to take on the role of being the leader. Even on her two 'weeks off.' McCray said she cante'to
early-morning practices to help cheer on her teammates.
Although the loss of the finals hurt the team, McCray said it was nice that it gave Kansas women's basketball more publicity.
"It really showed how you can bring people in with success," McCray said.
McCray said people were "slowly but surely" paying more attention to Kansas women's basketball, and believed that the first game of the 2009- 2010 season would be much bigger than last year.
While competing overseas, the players were different about staying in touch with their coaches. McCray said she tried to update Henrickson as much as she could through Skype. Taylor said he hadn't spoken to Kansas coach Bill Self about his experience in New Zealand, but said Self was excited for him.
For Taylor, the upcoming season is a chance to better himself as a player after playing overseas.
Edited by Hannah DeClerk
"I just think other people didn't really know how much I can do," Taylor said at the conference. "I think I had confidence before — it's just helping me because I know I'm going to be around great players this year, too."
NBA
Shaq to host show on ABC challenge other athletes
CLEVELAND — NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal is set to star in
"Shaq Vs.," a TV series where the All-Star center will challenge top athletes in their respective sports. During one episode, which debuts on Aug. 8 on ABC, Shaq will swim against Olympic hero Michael Phelps.
O'Neal, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, will negotiate a handicap with his opponents and train for one week leading up to each challenge.
Associated Press
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