July 30, 2007

Rachel Allison and Jhasmin Player's recent trip to Taiwan was a successful one on several levels. Not only did the pair lead Team USA, sponsored by Athletes in Action, to a bronze medal in Jones Cup competition, the tandem ranked as the squad's top two producers.

On the Court:
For the six-game competition, Allison, a junior post for the upcoming season, led the U.S. in both scoring and rebounding with 10.8 points and 7.0 rebounds a contest. The Jonesboro, Ark., native was the team's leading scorer in two contests with 16 against Chinese Taipei's B team (their national team) and 13 versus Chinese Taipei's A squad. She also turned in double-digit performances against Japan (19) and Korea (13). In the team's bronze medal clinching game against Taipei's A team, she hauled down 10 rebounds to record a double-double, one of only three double-doubles recorded by Team USA.

Player, also a junior guard on the Baylor squad, followed Allison closely in scoring with 10.2 a game to rank second on the team. The Bay Shore, Texas, native also tallied double-digit scoring in three contests with 12 versus Chinese Taipei B, 14 against Japan and a team-leading 19 in the victory over Korea.

After going 4-2 in the tournament with victories over Japan, Korea New Zealand and Chinese Taipei A, the young U.S. squad clinched the bronze medal with a decisive victory over the Chinese Taipei's A team. "The experience level that we played against over there was vast, I think the ages of the other team's players ranged from 20 to 36 and we were the youngest team there," commented Allison. "They were all very big and strong, especially Australia (gold medal winner). That was really the only team that blew us away; they blew everyone out of the gym."

Travel:
This trip was Jhasmin and Rachel's first foreign experience. Prior to traveling to Taiwan, the duo's only `overseas' travel had been on Lady Bear hoops trips to Cancun and the Bahamas. After a 14-hour flight to arrive in Taiwan, the team settled in to play four games before having a little time off to see some of the area sights.

While in Taiwan, the team only had one full day off during the competition and that was on Sunday. As usual, it was a day full of memorable experiences. Perhaps the most enjoyable and heart-touching experience of the trip was an early morning trip to a local orphanage. According to Allison, "we got to do a lot of neat things, see things, but my favorite experience was visiting the orphanage because we got to be around the children that don't have a family. It was a very emotional experience for me; it makes me want to eventually adopt a child from an orphanage."

Next, it was on to the Taipei 101 building, which until July 21 held the title of the highest building in the world at 1,667 feet. Burj Dubai, or Dubai Tower, now surpasses Taiwan's Taipei 101 at 1,680 feet, and is still growing. Viewing Taipei from the building provided the team with a unique perspective of the city.

The Taipei Zoo, a huge facility, was next on the itinerary. Although time was limited, most of the players got to see a large part of the zoo. After the zoo, the team returned to the hotel and had dinner before venturing out to the Night Market. Many were amazed by the thousands of people in the alleyways, all trying to get the best bargain on name brand items.

Faith:
Athletes In Action, an associate member of USA Basketball, sponsored this year's U.S. Jones Cup Team. The opportunity is used to share the matchless love of Jesus Christ as well as to teach the athletes how to be lifetime ministers of the gospel. "Shine His light has been our motto for most of the tournament and today, it was very bright," said Jones Cup head coach Vic Schaefer said. "These young people have accomplished an incredible task. They played in a highly competitive tournament field versus veteran teams that have been playing with each other for years. It (our bronze medal performance) is proof that all things are possible through Christ. I am blessed that I was able to come along for the ride, because it has been an incredible 17 days." While on the trip, Jhasmin and Rachel both had to opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen their religious faith. "As a team we did a lot of Bible study together and shared our faith whenever the opportunity presented itself," said Allison. According to Player, "playing over there it was dual opportunity for me to learn more about basketball and learn more about God and grow closer to him. I didn't know how it would really affect my life when I got back home but I think about things that I learned everyday over there and I try to think of them since I've gotten back and apply them to my everyday life. Every day there are trials in everything we do so I try to apply what I've learned in every situation."

Friendships:
Anytime you put a team together, it normally takes months to form a cohesive group. However, this group of 12 players had to fast-forward that bonding process, especially when they are competing against teams that have been together for years. And bond they did. "I had known some of the girls on a competitive basis since we had played against them in Big 12 competition," said Allison. "But getting to know them on a personal level was awesome." "Not only was it a great opportunity to get to know some of the players we play against often, we got to bond with players that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to know otherwise," added Player.

Joining Player and Allison from Big 12 teams were Leah Rush (Oklahoma), Heather Ezell (Iowa State), La Toya Micheaux (Texas A&M) and Jackie McFarland (Colorado). Players from non-conference schools were George Washington's Sarah-Jo Lawrence, Briann January of Arizona State, Southern Mississippi's Kendra Reed, North Carolina A&T's Brittany Taylor-James, Colorado State's Angie (Gorton) Nelp and Kentucky's Katie Vieth.

"The staff assembled for the team was an important part of the bonding process as well. Coach Schaefer (associate head coach at Texas A&M) and all the other staffers from Texas A&M were awesome," said Player.

Confidence:
In Rachel and Jhasmin's tenure at Baylor, with Sophia Young and Bernice Mosby as scoring machines, neither player has felt the pressure to be a prolific scorer. On this trip, both exhibited that they can put the ball in the hole. As the top two scorers on the team during the tournament, they now have and added confidence in their abilities.

"I thank God for putting Rachel and I together in this position. Rachel and I can get so down on ourselves, and I know last year Rachel and I both did just that. Then this opportunity came up. We had the opportunity to go over there and it was a real confidence builder for us. We brought that confidence back with us and have to give that positive attitude to our teammates and hopefully this will make us better as a team," said Player.

"I am so pleased that Rachel and Jhasmin got to experience international play and represent the United States both on and off the court. The experience was valuable to their development as players and will benefit them individually and our team collectively. The confidence they gained playing against some of the better players in the world will aid them immensely," said Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey.

Rachel Allison - 10.8 ppg*, 7.0 rpg*
Game-by-Game:
Chinese Taipei B - 16 points*, 7 rebounds
Australia - 0 points, 6 rebounds
Japan - 19 points, 9 rebounds
Korea - 13 points, 7 rebounds
New Zealand - 4 points, 3 rebounds
Chinese Taipei A - 13 points*, 10 rebounds

Jhasmin Player - 10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Game-by-Game:
Chinese Taipei B - 12 points, 8 rebounds
Australia - 4 points, 1 rebound
Japan - 14 points, 9 rebounds
Korea - 19 points*, 8 rebounds
New Zealand - 4 points, 1 rebound
Chinese Taipei A - 8 points, 2 rebounds

* led team

by Julie Bennett
Athletic Media Relations