JACKSON, Tenn. – Union University women’s basketball standout Olivia Lee has been picked to play for the USA Basketball NCAA Division II team this summer.
According to a press release from Steven Aldridge – Union’s Associate Director of Athletics, Sports Communications – Lee and seven other Division II stars will travel to Brazil in July to play several games in international competition.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to represent the USA D2 Women’s Basketball Team in Brazil,” Lee said. “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to compete on an international stage alongside such talented student-athletes. I look forward to the challenges and growth this experience will bring-both on and off the court.
“I believe this opportunity will enhance my development as a player, deepen my understanding of the game, and prepare me for the next steps in my basketball journey and beyond.”
The team will leave the United States July 21 and compete in four games before returning July 29. They will play two games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and two games in Rio de Janerio. The team will play first and second division professional teams and Under-22 club teams.Olivia Lee, USA Division II Women’s Basketball Team.
The D2 team is coached by Drury Women’s Basketball head coach Kaci Bailey. Drury assistant Destiny Smith, Henderson State’s Jill Thomas and Missouri Western’s Brooks McKowen will serve on Bailey’s staff.
The rest of the Team USA roster includes Sam Basson (Henderson State), Patricia Chikamba (Indianapolis), Rhi Gibbons (Drury), Ryan Franklin (Missouri Southern/Tampa), Kaylee King (Drury), Norah Gum (Missouri S&T), Sara Mendel (Drury), and Ivey Schmidt (Western Colorado).
Lee boasted an honor-filled 2024-25 season, helping Union advance all the way to the national semifinals. She was named WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-America honorable mentioned. Lee was instrumental in Union claiming the Gulf South Conference Regular Season title, GSC Tournament title, and NCAA D2 South Region Title.
Lee, a 6-foot guard from Jackson, Tennessee, led Union with 12.5 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. She is shot 45-percent from the field and has 64 assists, 41 steals, and seven blocks so far this season. Lee was named First Team All-GSC and earned GSC Player of the Week honors on Feb. 18. She was also part of the South Region All-Tournament Team and named D2 CCA Second Team All-South Region.
(PHOTO: Olivia Lee, Union University)
