Popular WNBA basketball player Becky Hammon wants a shot at an Olympic medal, and if the U.S. won't give her a shot, she'll play for Russia.

Hammon, a five-foot-six South Dakota native who has gained many fans in nine seasons in the WNBA with her sharp shooting and fearless drives to the basket, was not chosen to be on the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team. She has instead gotten a Russian passport (and reportedly Russian citizenship) and will play for the Russian national team in the Beijing Olympics in August 2008.

Hammon is no stranger to Russia: she has played for a Russian pro team for years in the long WNBA off-season, and recently signed a contract to play pro ball in Russia for another three years.

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Becky Hammon Seeks Spot on Russian Olympic Team; Coach Calls Her “Unpatriotic”