Not sure we want to take Beth Mowins word for gospel. If CP was not a lock to make this team I fail to see how Beth could determined that Stewie was a lock.
I also disagree with your premise that Candace was competing with Tina, Fowles or Griner for a spot because they are centers not PF and Angel is not a PF.
So based on the explanation from the selection committee- "PF was the strength of the team" and CP fell short that would leave her competing with Stewie, EDD, & Catch?.
If you were to evaluate CP against Stewie, EDD, & Catch against the statically categories you mentioned she would win these categories overwhelmingly:
- Assists: share the ball
- Rebounding Defensive (controlling opponents second chances and easy clean up hoops)
- Rebounding Offensive (gaining second chances and putting the ball back in or getting to the line)
- International experience (understanding the difference in how the game is called)
- Previous experience with USA Basketball
If you were to evaluate CP against Stewie, EDD, & Catch against the statically categories you mentioned she would be competitive in these categories:
- Consider shooting %s (efficiency)
- Post strength body check defense (stop opponents bigs from getting to the low block)
- Perimeter defense (controlling shot quality whether 3s or slashing to the hoop)
- Defensive rotation (quickness to proper position avoiding a foul, not just blocking a shot)
- On ball defense (Keeping a player in front of you and not making a teammate vulnerable on rotation)
- Foul shooting
- Propensity to get in foul trouble
If you were to evaluate CP against Stewie, EDD, & Catch against this category she would finish dead last :
@easttexastrash has already proposed this as a possible reason for the exclusion of CP and
@meyers7 has endorsed it. I agree with both of them. If the selection committee puts a premium of long range shooting then CP is not the one when compared to EDD and Stewie. But please don't make it out like CP was going to lose on any other statistical basis and especially not these.