Yolanda Griffith is a pro on the court, a mom off it.(Chicago Tribune)

SYDNEY, Australia _ Yolanda Griffith never takes anything in her life for granted.

Not Friday night's USA women's Olympic basketball game against New Zealand, or her hard-earned status as a professional basketball player with the WNBA Sacramento Monarchs.

The former Carver High School all-stater has completed her college degree, worked odd jobs along the way and excelled in her profession, both in the United States and overseas _ all while bringing up her daughter, Candace, as a single parent.

Candace, 11, is with her mother here during the Olympics. She remains Griffith's first concern.

"She doesn't waver on that," U.S. coach Nell Fortner …