Auriemma: Taurasi should be OK for Olympics

(AP) -- Geno Auriemma expects injured star Diana Taurasi to be fine for the Olympics next month.

Taurasi has missed the Phoenix Mercury's past three games with a hip flexor injury and is out indefinitely according to the team.

"I did speak with Dee obviously I was concerned when I found out she was injured," Auriemma said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

"She led me to believe that it's something that will heal through rehab and hard work on her part. She'll be ready to play in London, hopefully at 100 percent."

Taurasi sustained the injury during the team's training camp after reporting just seven days before the season opener following a full Eurolegue season in Turkey and training camp with USA Basketball.

She missed the opener at Minnesota because of the injury and played just 10 minutes at Tulsa in the team's second game. She played 26 minutes and scored 18 points in Phoenix's home opener loss to Los Angeles.

"I think if Dee were not to play in the Olympics, I don't think the first two words out of my mouth would be worry or concern. They would be something significantly stronger than that," Auriemma said.

Auriemma said he checks the Internet to keep up on his U.S. national team. They will begin training on July 14 in Washington D.C.

"I check the website every day and know how everyone is doing," he said. "That's the biggest fear. You have no control over it. Once you pick your team you hope the entire team will be able to participate. You do always have that in the back of your mind. I know those kids are competitive and want to play and help their team win. They play hurt which separates them from a lot of other players. They aren't going to sit out because of a hang nail. In one sense I'm not worried, on the other hand basketball is basketball."

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