Katrina Mcclain

Basketball

Lisa Leslie, with her penchant for scoring points and photo shoots for “Vogue” magazine, is a magnet for attention. Sheryl Swoopes and Rebecca Lobo have strong followings since both are just removed from their college success.

But the heart and soul of the U.S. women’s basketball team is Katrina McClain. Her experience in international competition has helped lead the United States within one victory of the gold medal. If the Americans are to beat Brazil this afternoon at the Georgia Dome, they will again need a big game from one of their oldest players.

McClain, nicknamed “Tree” by her teammates, has taken root under the basket. She is the team’s second-leading scorer in these Olympics with an average of 14.4 points. She leads the team in rebounding with an 8.7 average and in field-goal shooting at 73.8 percent.

Teammate Teresa Edwards is among those who say McClain, 30, is the best player in the world.

“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Edwards said. “She’s got everything. She’s got it all.”

Lobo and her teammates sat on the bench during the second half of Wednesday’s victory over Japan and marveled at McClain’s ability to go to the boards. They began to count out loud the number of consecutive rebounds she pulled down.

It reached seven before McClain came out for a quick breather.

“She’s phenomenal,” Lobo said. “She goes out and plays hard all the time and has respect for everyone.

“I had seen her play at Trials in the past and remember watching her, thinking how good she was. Then when I got on the court with her, I realized how incredible she is. When you go for a rebound and feel these hands from behind grab the ball, it’s her. She’s just great. It’s almost impossible to guard her.”