FILE - In this Thursday, July 31, 2014 file photo, Seattle Storm's Sue Bird plays against the Indiana Fever in a WNBA basketball game in Seattle. Bird became the first American player to make four world championship teams when USA Basketball announced the roster on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. Bird won gold medals in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze medal in 2006. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) (The Associated Press)
Sue Bird became the first American player to make four world championship teams when USA Basketball announced the roster on Tuesday.
Bird won gold medals in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze medal in 2006. Joining her on the final roster are veterans Diana Taurasi, Candice Dupree, Tina Charles, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus.
Brittney Griner, Nneka Ogwumike, Odyssey Sims and Breanna Stewart will make their first appearance at the world championship, which begins Saturday in Istanbul.
The Americans beat the Czech Republic 76-41 Tuesday, finishing 4-1 in exhibition games leading up to the worlds.
The U.S. will open against China on Saturday before facing Serbia on Sunday. The Americans close out pool play against Angola on Sept. 30.
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