COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—When USA Basketball chooses a roster of players to represent the red, white and blue in international competition the needs, considerations, variables and preferences are beyond the scope of anyone outside the selection committee itself. Naturally that doesn’t begin to stop the opinionated and uninformed from voicing their perspective on “who should have” or “who should not” have made the final cut but it generally makes for interesting reading, discussion and leads to plenty of cheap shots taken at the committee. With a combined 229 – 10 record in five on five competition for all age groups since the year 2000 and 33 out of 38 potential Gold Medals during that time, it’s really hard to afford any credibility to the finger pointing and accusations that always come following the trials for virtually every age group.
The reality is that the folks at USA Basketball have it down to an art and until the day we relinquish our stranglehold on international competition it would be smart to quietly defer to their expertise. There are plenty of talented athletes that compete for spots each year that ultimately are cut for the first, and possibly only, time in their lives. It’s not a reflection on their game or sometimes even their performance during the trials themselves. It’s more often a question of whether or not a player fits a role that the committee has to fill on the particular roster they’re choosing. There has been some incredible play offered up by many athletes during the trials who still didn’t find a USA uniform with their name on it when all is said and done. Don’t be confused, it’s an audition not a try out. You wouldn’t choose Jack Nicholson for Matthew McConaughey’s role in Magic Mike. Jack might dance but it wouldn’t quite be the same and it’s a visual most viewers most certainly could do without.
With all that being said, we thought we would take a look back at some of the standout players from last week’s U17 and U18 trials who came up just short of a roster spot for this summer. We’re absolutely not saying they deserved to be chosen, we’re just pointing out that they each had some moments that were impressive and an indication that they warranted being part of the conversation. No disrespect to the 2014 class, we wish them well, but our focus here is on those who will still be suiting up on the scholastic level for the 2014 – 2015 season. Of the 20 players below, the first 16 competed in the U17 trials while the last four suited up for the U18 sessions. Our congratulations go out to those who will be representing the USA this summer as well as those who participated in the trials and left a better player than when they were when they arrived.
Six players off the U16 Gold Medal squad from last summer did not claim a spot this year’s U17 World Championship roster. Of those six, five were backcourt players which speaks well of the depth on the perimeter in the coming classes. Sabrina Ionescu (2016 – Walnut Creek, Calif.) was tagged as an alternate and will no doubt be ready if called upon. The 5-11 combo continues to define attacking basketball both on the break and in the halfcourt. Her change of speed and direction serve her well as does her willingness to take the ball into traffic to create both shots and passes. Taylor Murray (2015 – Odenton, Md.) is the consummate “coach’s” point guard. She can take whatever role is asked of her and execute it at the highest level. At 5-6 she has all the speed and quickness to handle the most assertive on ball defenders as well as the skills to pick apart both man and zone defensive schemes. Arizona State has claimed a good one in 5-9 guard Sabrina Haines (2015 – Phoenix, Ariz. – Arizona State). Aggressive and physical strong, Haines is a handful for any defender and has the ability create her own looks as well as capitalize on opportunities from within an offensive set. The touch and range are there from deep but she’s best off the pull up or at the rim as defenders rotate her way off penetration. Crystal Dangerfield (2016 – Murfreesboro, Tenn.) may have had the toughest weekend coming up short in both age groups. Don’t take that as a negative. The dynamic 5-6 point guard was the only U17 candidate “moved up’ and had plenty of moments that obviously caught the selection committee’s attention. Few point guards have the ability to develop their own shots as Dangerfield does along with possessing the flair to finish among the trees.
The depth in the backcourt was also evident at the #2 spot as well as out on the wing. Faith Suggs (2015 – Flossmoor, Ill.) epitomizes that constant and steady growth that college coaches are looking for. Her basketball skills and her physical attributes seem to advance to the next level each time we see her in action. She’s creating more off the dribble and making good choices with the ball. Her length on defense puts her in a position to have a strong impact at both ends of the floor. One surprise from the second of the three cuts prior to the final was the failure of Nicole Munger (2015 – Doylestown, Pa. – Michigan) to be included in the homestretch group. The versatile and skilled guard understands the game about as well as anyone in her peer group as demonstrated by her eye catching performance in the three on three competition on day two. She’s playing with more length these days and is adept at finishing with contact for the “old school” three point play. By the word “fluid” in the dictionary you may well find the picture of Megan Walker (2017 – Chesterfield, Va.). One of 18 participants from the 2017 class, Walker demonstrated a game that many players several years older would be envious of. Active and smooth at 6-1, she can attack effectively against defenders of any size or quickness. The pull up is hard to read and comes with an elevation that leads to clean looks at the rim. Off the drive she absorbs contact and comes away with productive results time and again. We had the opportunity to see Jaelyn Brown (2016 – Murrieta, Calif.) back to back weekends (West Coast Premier Spring Invitational) and saw strides even in that short period. At 6-1 she has the size, strength and athleticism to command a bigger defensive match up from the opposition but the perimeter skills and attack to warrant attention from more speed and quickness. A strong presence on the boards, the left handed Brown is an impact player on any court.
If you were taking notes on what players were consistently making plays you couldn’t help but take notice of Jackie Young (2016 – Princeton, Ind.). Visibly shorter than her listed 6-1, Young is athletic and active from baseline to baseline. She creates on the drive but understands the value of strong cuts off screens or simple give and go’s. Sharp passing skills and a consistent 15 footer keeps defenders honest. Kasiyahna Kushkituah (2017 – Alpharetta, Ga.) is just beginning to scratch the surface of a very promising game. Despite some “rough edges” the size, length and athleticism are there and the effort will serve her well as her skills evolve. The 6-3 forward runs the floor with the guards and gets off the floor with the bigs on the glass. Any limits are up to her. That elusive combination of size and refined skills is showing up on a regular basis in the form of Erin Boley (2016 – Hodgenville, Ky.). She continues to challenge opposing match ups with an efficient and effective inside-out game. The stroke and touch requires a tight close out yet she uses her ballhandling and 6-2 size to get to the hoop. The step back is creating more space, her choices have improved over the past year and Boley can produce off the pull up or at the rim. A player we’ve seen make great strides just this spring is 6-3 Nadia Fingall (2016 – Navarre, Fla.). Still a work in progress, you can’t help be impressed by some of the plays that she makes. A great frame and solid physical strength allow her to have an impact inside on either end of the floor. Skill refinement is slowly coming but still needs more focus and attention.
Local product Kylee Shook (2016 – Colorado Springs, Colo.) had some moments last year and was making a serious bid to be in the mix this time around. Lean with lots of length at 6-4, Shook is active and forces defenders to burn calories to keep up with her. On the catch she does a good job of reading as she attacks making her very efficient against more size and athleticism. With two more years in front of her and a chance to add some bulk, lots of promise is in place. Deceptive size seems like an odd description but it’s fitting for Erin DeGrate (2015 – Waco, Texas). At 6-4 with a solid build, she has a much quicker first step and possesses the agility to surprise most defenders in the post. Her first two days last week were not her best but DeGrate offered up some play Saturday and Sunday that were a great indicator of her real potential. Consistency will be a big key down the line. If there was one player who’s walking papers we were somewhat surprised by it would be Tori McCoy (2016 – Champaign, Ill.). The 6-4 forward made the team last year but was unable to compete due to ongoing complications from a concussion sustained during the trials. McCoy was a force from the start this year and made herself a factor virtually on every play offensively and defensively. She displayed a level of effort not often seen from bigs that was magnified even more by her exceptional athleticism. Her skill set is evolving but, by her own admission, the 15 footer needs to become a factor to make her a more complete threat. Madison Treece (2017 – St. Peter’s, Mo.) is the family sequel to Oklahoma bound big sister McKenna. Genetics are in play as the 6-3 post has a textbook set of moves to call upon and offers up a well thought game that’s advanced for her age. Her shot will need some attention to make her a factor from the high post but if the effort she played with is any indication…no problem.
Of the 28 invited athletes to the U18 trials 15 will still be suited up on the high school level next season. Just one athlete represented the 2016 class and Jazmine Jones (2016 – Tallahassee, Fla.) did that well. An explosive and high motor athlete, Jones is going to make things happen. There are times that’s not exactly a good thing, but more often than not it’s a headache for the opposition. As impressive as her offensive attack was she offered up a defensive effort that could be an equally intimidating calling card if she embraces it. Tennessee commit MeMe Jackson (2015 – Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Tennessee) continues to advance her game and her play in Colorado Springs was some of her most impressive yet. The balance between perimeter shooting and attack off the drive is keeping defenders guessing and providing consistent production. Her athleticism allows her to get by even the quickest defenders and her vertical gives her a place in the lineup up near the rim. The 5-10 Jackson plays with an enthusiasm and effort that should allow her to find success no matter what uniform she’s wearing. We’ve had limited exposure to Batouly Camara (2015 – New York, N.Y.) but her play at the trials provided some insight to a true power game. Her calling card has always been an aggressive effort on the boards but there’s a refined finish to her play in the low post these days. Camara is becoming more effective off the drive from the elbow and has absolutely no reservations about taking it into contact. There are few players more dynamic with the ball in their hands than Kyra Lambert (2015 – Cibolo, Texas). On the catch you can bet she’s going to cause headaches for an on ball defender who would much rather be lined up anywhere than in front of the 5-10 Texan. Once she’s on her way to the rim she’s a threat to pull up, deliver the sharp pass or take it all the way to the hole. Her style is top tier college basketball but may need an adjustment for translation to the international game. Either way she’s exciting to watch.
