"Our coaches go and coach over in other countries for the Olympics. Athletes go over to other countries. Other athletes from other countries come here and win medals for the United States," Hammon said. "So I just don't think people were aware of that. So what better way to tell them than this little girl from South Dakota."

Hammon said not playing for the U.S. team is old news at this point. She said she harbors no hard feelings and that the U.S. deserved the gold.

Now it's back to work in San Antonio. The Silver Stars went on the Olympic break sitting atop the Western Conference. The season resumes Thursday and each team has just a handful of games to go before the playoffs.

"It was good to see my teammates and see my coaches. ... They've been absolutely 100 percent supportive," Hammon said. "They were hitting me with e-mails and texts all the time when I was over there. For me those are the things that carried me through."