It doesn't take a genius to realize that Suzie McConnell's accomplishments are those of a full-fledged star. A partial list includes:

-- The national collegiate record for assists.

-- 22 Penn State records.

-- Member, 1988 Kodak All-America team.

-- Point guard, U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-American team.

-- The 1988 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Hall of Fame Award, given annually to the nation's best small (under 5-10) player.

-- Gold medal, 1986 FIBA World Championships.

-- Captain of U.S. Select team, 1986 Canadian Invitational.

And now, with her selection to the 1988 United States Women's Olympic Basketball team, McConnell has a chance to add one of the most coveted awards in sports to her trophy collection -- an Olympic gold medal.

"The Olympics will be the final thing that I do (in my basketball career)," McConnell said. "I want to end my career on the highest note possible and it doesn't get any better than winning a gold medal for the Olympic team."

Women's Head Basketball Coach Rene Portland predicted that her former point guard would fulfill her dream.

"I'm confident that the team will win the gold medal," she said. "They know the challenges ahead of them and they have some great personalities on the team. Suzie hated to lose and there are 11 other kids just like her on the team."

Those 11 other kids, however, could make it difficult for McConnell to command a great deal of playing time. Almost all of the players have international experience and the other point guard is Teresa Weatherspoo n, the All-American from Louisiana Tech.

"I think (Suzie) is capable of playing a lot," Portland said. "It depends on how the coach decides to use her.

"They'll be a quicker, more up-tempo team with Suzie on the court. She's had a lot of faith put in her by her coach."

However, McConnell isn't worrying about her playing time.

"In the scrimmages and exhibitions everyone had about equal playing time, but that should change," she said. "It's not a major factor; I'm just trying to get myself ready to participate.

"I'm really relieved now that the team is finally selected and I'm a part of it. I've waited so long and just looked forward to the day that the team would be announced. It's an honor to be considered one of the best players in the country and be part of the Olumpic team."

This talented team is not only ready to participate, it's ready to win. Last year, the United States defeated the Cuban national team by only six points in the Pan-American Games. This year, the Cubans didn't get within 40 points of the Americans in an exhibition game.

"I'd kill to coach a team like this," Portland said.

Portland was instrumental in preparing McConnell for the tryouts. She traveled with her former player extensively in the last seven months, making sure that McConnell was ready for anything that came her way.

Having her coach nearby helped McConnell to gain confidence and relieve tension during the trials.

"I watched everything," Portland said. "Finally the coach said, 'Rene, I don't know how we're going to practice without you in the stands.' "

The Lady Lion Basketball program also was important in helping McConnell achieve her goal. Portland said that because of the team's NCAA exposure and Top 20 ranking, McConnell competed against the coaches who have a say in the selection of national teams, including Kay Yow, the Olympic Head Coach.

McConnell's performances as a Lady Lion have endeared her to Penn State basketball fans, who haven't been shy about letting either McConnell or Portland know how proud they are.

"Everyone I've talked to, Bruce Parkhill, Joe Paterno -- they all said that nobody else deserved it as much as Suzie did," Portland said. "You wouldn't believe the phone calls from the Penn State community.

"Last week I couldn't even go into Riverside without people asking about her.

"I'm thrilled for Suzie ... She's worked so hard and she and her family have made many sacrifices to achieve this goal.

"Most of all, I'm happy for Suzie and her family. It has been a nerve- wracking time but now I'm looking forward to sitting back and watching her on television from Seoul."

McConnell will not only be a representative of the United States, but of the Penn State community as well.

"She's a great personality and she sells Penn State as well as any of us do because she bleeds blue blood," Portland said. "She'll be a great asset when she returns home."

McConnell will arrive in Seoul on Sept. 10, following stops in Los Angeles and Hawaii. The team begins play on Sept. 19 and will return home on Oct. 1, following the closing ceremonies.

They hope to return home with gold medals.

"The USSR is in the other bracket and we should meet them in the gold medal game," McConnell said. "But we have to take one game at a time -- you can't look past anyone at this level because anything can happen."

McConnell is the second female basketball player with Penn State connections to compete in the Olympics.