USA basketball. Let’s face it, the odds of making the team are not high for a WNBA player. Even Becky Hammon, an outstanding guard, coming off an “MVP nominee” season in 2007, did not get the nod. She is special type of player that can do it all offensively and makes the players around her better. There should have been room for her at the 1 or 2 spot, but, apparently, that was not case. It seems that USA basketball, just like the WNBA, is a very “political” decision making organization.

So, what is a girl to do? She has a dream to play in the Olympics, of course, preferable for the U.S.A, the country where she was born and grew up living the American dream, but unfortunately, it did not happen. In the mean time, another amazing opportunity to play comes from another country. Becky Hammon accepts. Suddenly, Hammon finds herself in a whirl-wind after her controversial decision to accept a Russian passport and play for team Russia in the upcoming Olympics.

At first, Hammon rejected the thought of playing for Russia. But, with the chance of making the U.S. team so small, she signed a four-year deal worth well more than $2 million. “There’s nothing more American than taking advantage of an opportunity,” she told ESPN, smiling. Also, even more importantly, she had said it was her dream to be an Olympic athlete, and to compete at the most important games in the world.

Of course, USA coach, Anne Donovan, was asked about what she thinks. Donovan told ESPN, “If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person in my mind.” That is probably because she now has re-occurring nightmare about the even stronger Russian team with Hammon, beating the USA in the Olympics this summer.

Actually, I am sick of reading and hearing about this. This woman was given a wonderful opportunity to not only live her dream, but to secure herself financially. What American would NOT do this? Becky had a good point, let’s face it, her decision was indeed, a VERY American decision. Besides, with the economic state of our country today, I bet that it would be hard to find someone who would honestly turn down this offer. I agree with Becky’s decision and hope that people leave her alone. USA basketball had their chance to give her the respect she deserves. Maybe some people just do not like the fact that she might have the last laugh.