Imagine playing basketball outdoors in picturesque Athens, Greece, in a 3-on-3 tournament. And no, it's not Hoop It Up; rather, you're representing your country in an official FIBA-sponsored event.

That's the experience Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike had this past summer, playing with Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins, UConns's Bria Hartley and Ann Strother to win gold in the FIBA 3x3 World Championship for Women.

"Playing against international players - they're physical. I thought I was physical, but they're really physical, so it helped me build on my strength," said Ogwumike, who also benefited greatly from playing with two skilled perimeter players. "I learned I can compete with Skylar and Bria as much as anyone else. They definitely raised my level of play."

Practice for the upcoming season only started this month, but coach Tara VanDerveer has already seen big improvements.

"Chiney is a more versatile player than she was last year," VanDerveer said. "She has improved her perimeter shot and we are working on her three-point shot."

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