BASKETBALL: Teresa Edwards, David Robinson, '92 Dream Team Selected By U.S. Olympic Committee As 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Finalists

-- Online Voting to Select the 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class Is Underway -- Colorado Springs, Colo. - Feb. 27, 2008 http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php'news_page=08_oly_hof_usab The United States Olympic Committee today announced the finalists for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 and listed among the finalists are five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards, three-time Olympian David Robinson and the historic 1992 'Dream Team' that captured gold at the Barcelona Olympics. The USOC invites the public to vote online at usolympichalloffame.com to help determine who will comprise the next class of inductees. Six individual Olympians, one Olympic team and one Paralympian, along with a coach, a veteran and a special contributor, will be honored during the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The awards-show style ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. (CT) on June 19 at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater in Chicago, Ill. Additionally, a nationally-televised special will enable sports fans across the United States to re-live the moments that catapulted the Class of 2008 inductees to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame status. Additional information regarding the telecast of the induction ceremony will be released at a later date. Envisioned as a lasting tribute to the pursuit of excellence and the Olympic ideals, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was established to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic Games."USA Basketball is elated to see patriots like Teresa Edwards, David Robinson and the '92 Dream Team on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame ballot,"said USA Basketball executive director Jim Tooley."Edwards and Robinson are two of the most respected and talented athletes to don a USA Basketball uniform. They represented their country with pride and excellence and are true ambassadors for this country and the game. Undoubtedly one of the best basketball teams ever fielded was the 1992 Dream Team as evidenced by its worldwide popularity and the fact that 10 team members were named among the NBA's 50 greatest players of all time."Edwards, the most decorated Olympic basketball player on the planet, is the only U.S. female athlete to garner gold medals in four different Olympiads. She won gold in 1984, 1988, 1996 and 2000, while returning with the bronze medal in 1992. Edwards is also the USA's only five-time Olympic basketball player and one of only three five-time Olympic basketball athletes in the world to ever play the game (Oscar Schmidt, Brazil, no medals; Andrew Gaze, Australia, no medals). Edwards, a four-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year and one of the most respected players in international women's basketball history, first put on a USA uniform at the age of 17 at the 1981 U.S. Olympic Festival and was a fixture on USA Basketball teams for nearly two decades. Of a possible 18 medals competing for USA Basketball, she won 14 gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Additionally, Edwards was voted by 1996 U.S. Olympic Team captains to take the Olympic Oath on behalf of all Olympic competitors at the 1996 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies. The USA's only male three-time Olympic basketball player, Robinson competed in his first Olympiad in 1988, earning a bronze medal. He was then named to the 1992 and 1996 Olympic teams and aided those squads to gold. A 1987 U.S. Naval Academy graduate with a mathematics degree, Robinson, who took a leave of absence from the Navy to compete on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team, honored a commitment to serve two years in the Navy before joining the NBA. Defined by his actions off the court even more than on the court, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in 2003 the NBA renamed its award for outstanding charitable efforts after Robinson. The monthly NBA Community Assist Award winners now receive the David Robinson Plaque. The historic 1992 Dream Team was never challenged in its eight-game run to the gold medal as a new era of international basketball made its debut. Featuring eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Patrick Ewing, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist Karl Malone, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Chris Mullin, eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist Scottie Pippen, eventual three-time Olympian David Robinson and eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist John Stockton, the U.S. squad averaged an Olympic record 117.3 points a game. In fact, the USA won by an average of 43.8 points and the closest any opponent could come was 32 points (117-85 versus Croatia in the gold medal game)."The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is a celebration of the unique spirit and heritage of the Olympic movement in America,"said USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr."We appreciate the support of Allstate Insurance Company for their continued support of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and their commitment to honoring the accomplishments of America's Olympic greats and, in doing so, preserving the Olympic ideals."In 2008, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will once again be held in Chicago where the charter class was enshrined in 1983, with such Olympic legends as Bob Beamon, Cassius Clay, Peggy Fleming, Al Oerter, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, Jim Thorpe and the 1980"Miracle on Ice"Hockey Team. Annual additions continued through 1992, adding Olympic legends such as Bart Conner, Donna de Varona, Dorothy Hamill,"Sugar Ray"Leonard, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis, Phil Mahre, Meyer, John Naber and Mary Lou Retton. The Hall of Fame consists of 192 Distinguished Members, including 84 athletes from individual sports, seven teams and 12 special contributors. The Class of 2008 finalists in the individual sport/event, team and Paralympic categories were selected by a nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians and USOC representatives. The committee also selected the individuals to be honored in the coach, veteran and special contributor categories. Their names will be announced with the other inductees. Public voting at usolympichalloffame.com continues through Friday, March 28. USA Basketball - U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Nominations Before you cast your vote here, make sure to check out the extended versions of nominating ballots for Teresa Edwards, David Robinson and the 1992 Dream Team listed below. Or Vote Now for USA Basketball's entries! Teresa Edwards * The most decorated Olympic basketball player on the planet, men or women, owning four gold medals and one bronze medal in five Olympics * The USA's only five-time Olympic basketball player and one of only three five-time Olympic basketball athletes in the world to ever play the game (Oscar Schmidt, Brazil, no medals; Andrew Gaze, Australia, no medals) * The only female U.S. Olympian to win a gold medal in four different Olympiads (Carl Lewis also accomplished this feat) * The youngest (1984) and oldest (2000) U.S. Olympic women's basketball player to ever win a gold medal. * A member of the historic 1996 USA Olympic and 1995-96 USA Basketball Women's National teams that compiled a combined 60-0 record and were named the 1996 U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Basketball Team of the Year. * Three-time USA World Championship Team member, won gold in 1986 and 1990 and bronze in 1994. * Named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year a record four times (1987, 1990, 1996 and 2000). * Voted by 1996 U.S. Olympic Team captains to take the Olympic Oath on behalf of all Olympic competitors at the 1996 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies. Edwards' Olympic History 1984 Gold Medal 6-0 2.5 ppg., 1.3 apg. 1988 Gold Medal 5-0 16.6 ppg., *3.4 apg. 1992 Bronze Medal 4-1 12.6 ppg., *5.4 apg. 1996 Gold Medal 8-0 6.9 ppg., *8.0 apg. 2000 Gold Medal 8-0 6.1 ppg., 3.4 apg. * team high Teresa Edwards, who competed in an unprecedented five Olympiads, was a four-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year and one of the most respected players in international women's basketball history, first put on a USA uniform at the age of 17 at the 1981 U.S. Olympic Festival and was a fixture on USA Basketball teams for nearly two decades. Of a possible 18 medals competing for USA Basketball, she won 14 gold, one silver and three bronze medals, and USA teams with Edwards on the roster have compiled an overall record of 205-14 for a 93.6 winning percentage. Having played in 216 games representing the United States, Edwards compiled some incredible statistics -- 2,008 points, 890 assists, 576 rebounds and 372 steals and a career field goal percentage of 50.3. Numbers others can only dream of and a record of longevity beyond comprehension. David Robinson * The USA's only three-time male Olympic basketball player and one of only seven U.S. basketball athletes (Anne Donovan, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain, Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes) to be named to at least three Olympic teams. * Helped the USA win gold medals in 1992 as a member of the historic Dream Team and in 1996, as well as a bronze medal in 1988 * A two-time USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1986 and co-recipient as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team) * In addition to his three Olympic medals, Robinson aided the USA to gold medals in the 1986 FIBA World Championship and 1986 Goodwill Games, a silver medal at the 1987 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 1992 Tournament of Americas. * Nicknamed "The Admiral," Robinson during his NBA career aided the San Antonio Spurs to a pair of NBA titles (1999, 2003) and earned the following honors: NBA MVP (1995); Defensive Player of the Year (1992); Rookie of the Year (1990); All-NBA First Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996); All-NBA Second Team (1994, 1998); All-NBA Third Team (1990, 1993, 2000, 2001); All-Defensive First Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996); All-Defensive Second Team (1990, 1993, 1994, 1998); 10-time NBA All-Star; NBA Sportsmanship Award (2001); One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). * Was the No. 1 pick in the 1987 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Robinson's Olympic History 1988 Bronze Medal 7-1 12.8 ppg., *6.8 rpg. 1992 Gold Medal 8-0 9.0 ppg., 4.1 rpg. 1996 Gold Medal 8-0 *12.0 ppg., 4.6 rpg. * team high A 1987 U.S. Naval Academy graduate with a mathematics degree, Robinson, who took a leave of absence from the Navy to compete on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team, honored a commitment to serve two years in the Navy before joining the NBA. Defined by his actions off the court even more than on the court, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in 2003 the NBA renamed its award for outstanding charitable efforts after Robinson. The monthly NBA Community Assist Award winners now receive the David Robinson Plaque. Among his charitable achievements was a $9 million commitment toward the construction and operation of The Carver Academy, an independent school for San Antonio students from a culturally diverse community. Considered the single largest gift ever made by a professional athlete, the school benefits many low-income, at-risk students. The school offers elementary-age children a challenging academic program featuring small classes, leadership opportunities and a nurturing family-like environment. 1992 Men's Basketball Team From the start they were penciled in as the 1992 Olympic gold medalist team. The media, their opponents, and fans of basketball all agreed that this team would be unbeatable. And it was. Featuring basketball's best of the best, the U.S. men were never challenged in their eight-game run to the gold medal as a new era of international basketball made its debut. International rules, which had previously prevented only NBA players from being eligible for Olympic basketball, were changed by the FIBA membership on April 7, 1989, by virtue of a 56-13 vote in favor of "open competition." With the rule change, USA Basketball set forth on its mission of assembling the best possible team. Featuring eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Patrick Ewing, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist Karl Malone, 1984 Olympic gold medalist Chris Mullin, eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist Scottie Pippen, eventual three-time Olympian David Robinson and eventual 1996 Olympic gold medalist John Stockton, the U.S. squad averaged an Olympic record 117.3 points a game. In fact, the USA won by an average of 43.8 points and the closest any opponent could come was 32 points (117-85 versus Croatia in the gold medal game). "You will see a team of professionals in the Olympics again," said USA coach Chuck Daly. "But I don't think you'll see another team quite like this. This was a majestic team." U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Finalists Individual Finalists (Six to be inducted) - Greg Barton, Canoe/Kayak - Bruce Baumgartner, Wrestling, freestyle - Joan Benoit, Track , Field - Jeff Blatnick, Wrestling - Brian Boitano, Figure Skating - Valerie Brisco, Track , Field - Oscar de la Hoya, Boxing - Teresa Edwards, Basketball - Karch Kiraly, Volleyball - Mary T. Meagher, Swimming - Sheila Young Ochowicz, Speedskating - Darrell Pace, Archery - J. Michael Plumb, Equestrian - David Robinson, Basketball - John Smith, Wrestling - Amy Van Dyken, Swimming - Peter Westbrook, Fencing - Lones Wigger, Shooting Teams (One to be inducted) - 1976 Women's Swimming 4x100 Freestyle Relay - 1992 Men's Basketball Team - 1996 Synchronized Swimming Team - 1996 Women's Gymnastics Team - 1998 Women's Ice Hockey Team Paralympians One to be inducted - Ross Davis, Track , Field - Jean Driscoll, Track , Field - Sharon Hedrick, Track , Field - Jim Mastro, Judo/Wrestling/Track , Field/Goalball - John Morgan, Swimming