There is no feeling like the excitement and pride you have when you get to wear the USA jersey. And there is nothing like getting selected for the very first time after eight years of hustle. Kahleah Copper, despite having a calm demeanor, felt that very ecstatic rush when she heard the news. Someone who could resonate with all the grinding is LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, who won a National Championship in her very first season with the Tigers. As the two sat down for a chat, Copper revealed what she first felt like.

In the latest episode of Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae, the Mercury star spelled out her feelings to see her name on a Team USA jersey. She opened up by saying, “When I saw Bri (Brianna Weiss, USA Women’s National Team Director) with that jersey and they telling me I made the team, I’m like, ‘Yooo!’ That was really lit. That was a moment.”

Copper also talked shared her experience so far. She told the Lady Tiger, “It is unreal. Just think about my process, in general. Like, you know, getting my first invite in 21 and not making that team. Then in 22, getting a call like, ‘Fly to Australia, you might not make the team, but we want you to come.’ And I went. Just did my thing, was confident in myself, made that team, got my first gold.” The Mercury star was part of the USA roster that went unbeaten in Australia to win the FIBA World Cup.

“Then it’s back to the drawing board. It doesn’t mean anything just ’cause you wanna go. Had to come back, go through the trials. I missed the last camp, so I was like, it was tough. I went overseas to just get my rhythm, just to hoop,” the forward added, talking about her short stint with the Spanish Club Perfumerias Avenida.

While she was happy with her own selection, she still named one person who, according to her, deserves to represent the USA.

Kahleah Copper has one more interesting player for the Olympic selection committee

The WNBA has no shortage of talented athletes. The ‘Best-ever WNBA All-Star Weekend in the desert’ was proof of that. However, the national team could only bring in 12 players. As a result, many did not make the cut. Caitlin Clark, Arike Ogunbowale, and Angel Reese are some of those players who, despite great performances, are not going to Paris. Another star who did not get to wear the jersey is the 9x All-Star, Nneka Ogwumike.

However, for Kahleah Copper, she does make the selection. When Flau’jae asked Kah who she would add if she could, the 2021 WNBA champion did not waste a moment to respond. She revealed the worthy candidate for her by saying, “I don’t know if I would add a guard or a post. I’d add a post. Nneka. Nneka Ogwumike.” Interestingly, the Seattle Storm star has also been in the talks for snub since she could have brought more veteran experience to the team.

Still, the entire group of talented stars did get to take their ‘revenge’ in the All-Star game. Nevertheless, they all also believe in Team USA to win another gold. Kahleah Copper and Co. will open their Olympic account this year with Japan as their first opponents.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.