Natalie Achonwa to play in Pan Am Games, miss 3 games

Indiana Fever superstar rookie Natalie Achonwa will be playing for Canada in the Pan Am Games, the Fever announced today. After playing in tonight's contest against the San Antonio Stars, Achonwa will miss the Fever's next three games.

Here is a portion of the release:

Indiana Fever rookie Natalie Achonwa will represent her native Canada in the upcoming Pan Am Games, temporarily leaving the Fever following tonight's game with the San Antonio Stars. She will rejoin the club following the WNBA All-Star Break.

Achonwa, a member of the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team and a first-round draft pick by the Fever in the 2014 WNBA Draft, will compete in the Pan Am Games with the Canadian National Team. Achonwa averaged 7.2 points per game as a member of the 2012 Canadian squad that qualified for the Olympic quarterfinals in London. Canada is the host nation in this year's Pan Am Games in Toronto, July 16-20.

The end of the Pan Am Games coincides with the close of the first half of the WNBA season. She will miss four games with Indiana - July 15, 17, 18 and 21. The WNBA All-Star Game is Saturday, July 25.

Achonwa was recently named WNBA Rookie of the Month for June.