COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—You would think the selection of any USA Basketball National Team would lead to a “Let the games begin” sentiment. Instead, as is all too common these days, it’s more accurate to say “Let the whining begin”. It never ceases to amaze me that regardless of the roster chosen the accusations of agendas, politics and visual impairment start flying. Its one thing to have an opinion but unless you’re actually sitting in the room with the committee, it warrants no more credibility than simple speculation. And mouthing off without even taking in all the action in Colorado Springs…well, that’s tantamount political grumbling without actually voting. Don’t confuse the trials with try outs. It’s an audition and they’re filling roles.
A failure to select any player is not an indication of a corrupt or a flawed process. It’s time to remember that a USA uniform is a not a birthright and the opportunity to even be considered is a privilege. If that’s not enough, you’re most likely playing for the wrong reasons anyway. Over the years we’ve seen the likes of Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State) and Moriah Jefferson (UConn) put on a show in Colorado Springs but still come up short when the return tickets for training camp are handed out. Yet, somehow, despite all the shortcomings that the self-proclaimed “experts” accuse the selection committee of, the Gold Medal count continues to climb.
In the younger age groups the reality is that there’s plenty of talent to go around. Many disappointed players could easily be interchanged with their chosen counterparts and likely come up with similar results, particularly in the FIBA Americas competitions in which this year’s U16 squad is scheduled to take part. So today and tomorrow we’re going to take a look at 10 perimeter and 10 interior players who had strong performances in Colorado Springs but won’t be competing in Puebla, Mexico next month. And before you begin to “stir the pot” once again, we’re not saying these were the next in line. We’re just acknowledging some good basketball and we saw plenty of that from them and others on hand as well.
If there’s a 2018 that hasn’t quite got her just due yet it may well be Christyn Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas. We’ve seen her multiple times this spring and she’s among the elite, not just in her class but on the high school level as a whole. Combining a strong, physical approach to her play with some sharp and diverse skills, the 5-10 Williams makes plays on the perimeter and in the paint. She can score on her own accord but deftly distributes the ball on the break and off penetration. There’s plenty of effort on both ends of the floor and her rebounding from the perimeter is an asset any coach would embrace. There’s a little too much reliance on her own attack and she’ll need to use screens more efficiently down the road as defenders make her their focus.
One of the bigger eyebrow raises with the final roster was that it didn’t include Chloe Chapman. The already well established 2019 point guard had a strong showing and will no doubt be back in the mix a year from now. While we normally start with an offensive description, it would be wrong to lead with anything other than the best on ball defense we’ve seen since Odyssey Sims (Baylor). From makes, misses and turnovers she’s picking up early with both the footspeed and anticipation to disrupt any ballhandler. With the ball the Mitchellville, Maryland native is on the attack and reading the floor from transition and sets. Chapman keeps her dribble and has the patience to allow options to evolve without forcing the issue. The perimeter shot will need to continue to evolve to keep defenders honest but is already showing signs of progress.
The toughest spot to nail down for those observing courtside may have been the point guard spot. Contributing to that confusion would be the impressive play of Taylor Mikesell of Massillon, Ohio. At 5-9 with good length to her build she’s established herself as a diverse floor leader that can distribute the ball as well as capitalize on her own scoring opportunities. A member of the 2018 class, she’s playing with more and more confidence and her efforts last week should only add to that mentality. The ball skills are there to handle defensive pressure as well as to create shots and improve passes. Mikesell is an established shooter with deep range and a quick release. She can pull up off the drive and has a step back that provides plenty of separation. Against pressure she tends to make too many lateral moves at times rather than attack and go.
As long as we’re talking point guards it was hard not to take notice of the play of Cattlesburg, Kentucky’s Mykasa Robinson. Another 2018, the 5-6 floor leader is an evolving presence both in transition and the halfcourt. Her skill set allows her to handle strong on ball pressure while still seeing the floor and making good decisions. She demonstrated the ability to adapt quickly after being stripped on isolated plays. Post players are the happy recipients of some intuitive interior passing off penetration. Robinson has that “point guard mentality” that isn’t often inherent in a lot of folks playing the position. An aggressive defender, she sees the ball well from the weakside reacting quickly both on skips and reverses.
One of the more consistent performers from Thursday to Sunday was Katlyn Gilbert of Indianapolis, Indiana. At 5-11 she’s got a lean, athletic build that serves her well at both ends of the floor. She’s fluid in her attack and can slash into traffic getting to the rim. The 2018 guard doesn’t appear to be a fan of physical play at this point but she took more than her share of body shots and kept coming back for more. Gilbert can handle it on the break and develops her own looks attacking off the wing as well. Her shot release isn’t quick but it’s enough to necessitate that defenders be there on the catch. Her speed, lateral quickness and wingspan provides her with the tools to be an impact defender.
Another contender for a roster spot to the very end was dynamic 5-7 Chelsie Hall. Constantly on the attack, she’s a challenge to even the best defenders hoping to stay in front of her. A strong first step and deceptive individual skills makes her a constant threat. Off her crossover and hesitation moves her acceleration is explosive leaving most opponents scrambling to recover. In traffic she has the ability to read and adapt in turn leading to some creative and often interesting looks at the rim. The 2017 Wesley Chapel, Florida guard will need to finish more consistently to get a greater return from her attack. She closes out aggressively but will need to be more active off the ball defensively.
DiDi Richards isn’t a stranger to anyone who has followed the scholastic and club circuits the past few years. The 6-0 wing has the size and tools that make her a top tier prospect on any knowledgeable recruiting ranking list. Some added length is making her virtually the prototype colligate wing. On the catch she’s creating more and is proving to be more of a playmaker than in the recent past. The Cypress, Texas resident gets into traffic time and again with a much more effective physical game allowing her to finish more consistently. Richards elevates on both her pull up as well as her perimeter looks beyond 15 feet. The same length and agility that makes her an offensive threat serves her well on the defensive end. More consistency will need to come to allow her to be the impact player that she has the potential to be.
Not many 5-6 players have the physically strong build and approach to the game as Destanni Henderson does. With the ball in her hands defenders have to expect nothing less than a consistent and authoritative attack. The Fort Myers, Florida 2018 point guard is quick on the catch and explodes by even the most text book close outs offered up by the opposition. A surprising vertical for her size makes her a bigger factor near the rim than you might anticipate and she has no reservations about taking on the bigs at every opportunity. The pull up looks good but the percentage has got to come up to make her more efficient. Defensively Henderson can be and is a strong on ball presence but from the weakside she tends to come out of her stance.
The folks taking the most notice of West Chester Township, Ohio’s Abby Prohaska might have been those lining up opposite her. At 5-9 she epitomizes the word relentless and it’s fitting on both ends of the floor. The effort the 2018 guard expends forces opponents to do the same or simply get run over in the process. Don’t minimize the skills she brings to the floor either. She’s well coached and the left hander has the ability to capitalize on the break or get to the rim out of a set play. Prohaska understands the game and is one of those athletes who is going to add something to her repertoire each time out. While she did knock down some perimeter looks, the forward motion in her shot could lead to some consistency issues at times down the road. You may beat her but you won’t outwork her.
We had the chance to watch Madison Johnson at home in California last week and now again in Colorado Springs. The 5-11 guard / wing offered up two different performances with the effort in the mountains being the one to take notice of. With good size and a solid build she’s got a strong set of individual skills that make her an offensive factor. She’s active with and without the ball plus has a good understanding of defensive rotations. The 2018 grad shoots with textbook form plus has range out beyond the arch. Johnson plays with maximum effort each possession on both ends of the floor. She sees the court defensively but needs to be a half step quicker and more physical on rotations.
