Update, Oct. 6, 2014: Maya Moore ’11 (CLAS) of the Minnesota Lynx scored 18 points and was named the Most Valuable Player, as the USA Women’s Basketball Team, coached by Geno Auriemma, defeated Spain 77-64 on Oct. 5 to win the 2014 FIBA World Championship and qualify the United States for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. The win also gave Sue Bird ’02 (CLAS) her fourth World Championship medal (gold 2014, 2010, 2002; bronze in 2006), making her the most decorated athlete, male or female, in FIBA World Championship history.

USA Basketball on Tuesday named five current and former Huskies as members of the 2014 FIBA World Championship team.

Sue Bird ’02 (CLAS) of the Seattle Storm; Tina Charles ’10 (CLAS) of the New York Liberty; 2014 WNBA MVP Maya Moore ’11 (CLAS) of the Minnesota Lynx; Diana Taurasi ’05 (CLAS) of the 2014 WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury; and Breanna Stewart ’16 (CLAS) were selected for the 12-member team following a series of exhibition games in Bridgeport, Conn., and in Paris against other international teams.

The FIBA tournament begins Saturday in Istanbul, Turkey, with the United States playing China in the preliminary round, and continues through Oct. 5.

Stefanie Dolson ’14 (CLAS) and Bria Hartley ’14 (CLAS), both of the WNBA Washington Mystics, and UConn senior Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis ’15 (CLAS) were also among 33 of the nation’s top women basketball players invited earlier this year to try out for the team, who could eventually play in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Geno Auriemma, UConn women’s head coach, again serves as USA head coach, and has another former Husky on the sideline assisting him: Jennifer Rizzotti ’96 (CLAS), University of Hartford head coach, is serving as an advance scout and court coach for the team. A member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Rizzotti was part of the Huskies’ 1995 NCAA Championship team, and was named the 2011 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year after leading the USA Basketball U-19 Team to a gold medal at the FIBA World Championship in Brazil.

In joining the 2014 squad, Bird becomes the first United States player to be a four-time member of USA World Championship Teams. She previously won Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012.

Stewart, the Most Outstanding Player in the 2014 NCAA Championship and the 2014 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year after leading the U-19 Team to the FIBA gold medal, is the youngest member of the team and the only college player on the roster. Stewart has won five FIBA gold medals since she was 14 years old, playing on USA Basketball teams.

WNBA players rounding out the team include veteran USA team members Candice Dupree of the Phoenix Mercury, Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream, Lindsay Whalen of the Minnesota Lynx, Seimone Augustus of the Lynx, and first-timers Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury,Nnemkadi Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks, and Odyssey Sims of the Tulsa Shock.

“Anytime a team is selected, you are always excited about who was picked, and disappointed for those who weren’t picked,” Auriemma said after the selections were announced. “We knew it was going to be difficult. We are missing so many veterans from previous World Championships and the Olympics, so it was a great opportunity for some younger players for some new faces to be added. … I think from what I can see, we’ve got a little bit of everything. I know our coaching staff has our work cut out for us, and we are excited to finally get the team together and get started.”

Before leaving for Europe, Bird, who is one of just eight players to have won NCAA, WNBA, and Olympic titles – others include Moore, Taurasi, Swin Cash ’02 (CLAS), and Kara Wolters ’99 (CLAS), reflected on what may be her last opportunity to pursue Olympic gold.

“It’s an honor every time you get selected, but as you get older you’re more aware of things,” Bird said. “You tend to enjoy each moment a little bit more. You realize it’s going to come to an end soon, even something as simple as a bus ride. Those are some of the best times, when we’re riding on the bus or when we’re in the locker room just hanging out. You stop, look around and enjoy it. Because those are the things once you stop playing a team sport you’re probably never going to get back. Aside from being on the court, I’m trying to enjoy the off-the-court moments as well.”

Auriemma did not expect to coach his former student-athletes again after leading the USA team to a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics, but that changed in summer 2013, when USA Basketball officials called him soon after he arrived at the White House, where President Barack Obama honored the Huskies for winning the 2013 NCAA Championship.

“I didn’t think I was going to get a second opportunity,” he said. “I’m going to take full advantage and enjoy it.”

Having the chance to play in the Olympics has been a goal for Stewart for many years.

“Ever since I watched the Olympics, that’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said after receiving an invitation to the team tryouts in January.

As a veteran of international competition playing for USA Basketball teams, Stewart often was the youngest player on the squad who could hold her own. In 2011, she was only the second high school player to play on a USA team competing in the Pan Am Games, where she started all four games and averaged 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.

“You wouldn’t think she’s 18 years old,” Bird said after watching Stewart play during early practices and exhibition games. “That’s the biggest compliment I can pay her.”

There is an additional Husky presence in the 2014 FIBA World Championship, and UConn fans got an early look during the USA’s 76-51 win over Canada in the Bridgeport exhibition game.

Freshman guard Kia Nurse ’18 (CLAS) was selected as a member of Team Canada in early September, and will begin tournament play Saturday against Mozambique. Nurse was greeted warmly by the Bridgeport crowd of UConn fans when she was introduced at the Webster Bank Arena, and posed with the UConn players and coaches for a photo at mid-court.

“She’s going to make a great Husky,” said Moore. “She plays with confidence. She’s got a strong body, and she’ll only get better. I like her personality.”

The 2014 FIBA World Championship games for USA Basketball will air on ESPN 3 on Sept. 27, 28, and 30, all at 3:30 p.m. ET.