COLORADO, Colo.– One of the great aspects of the USA Basketball and the younger age groups is the evolving nature of the athletes and their games.  Skill advancement and personal maturation are at a premium for those in their first couple of years in high school.   In that light no roster is more vulnerable in the course of a single year than a U16 team.  While USA Basketball would never acknowledge it, this year’s U17 trials following a FIBA Americas Bronze Medal performance necessitate a reassessment of just who will carry the flag to Zaragoza, Spain for this year’s World Championships.

Every returning player is looking over their shoulder because there never are guarantees of return engagements…this year more than ever.  Players who “just missed” the first time around are back and hungry to prove they were the missing piece to the puzzle while others have elevated their play and made themselves a legitimate part of the conversation.  Bronze tinted experience just isn’t the collateral that Gold tends to be.

With two days of actual trial competition in the books we’re going to take a quick look at some of the 24 athletes on the “invite” list that joined the 12 returners as guests of USA Basketball.

Rellah Boothe – 2017 – 6-3 – Forward – Ocala, Florida

Boothe has been on the radar since a young age and is a consensus top five player among the various national rankings.  Now standing 6-3 with a solid frame she’s more of a force around the rim than from behind the arch where she made her name initially.  She’s still a factor anywhere she catches the ball and has the tools to create her own looks.  A year ago she was an impressive performer in the U16 trials but struggled with consistency and was not part of the final roster.  Her effort thus far has had somewhat less flair to it but has shown that consistency that also has eluded her on the scholastic level.  Boothe is an impact player in any setting…when she chooses.

Samantha Brunelle – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Ruckersville, Virginia

This young forward has already established herself among the elite in her class and her play so far in Colorado Springs is backing up that status.  Sporting a combination of size, skills and instincts, Brunelle has the versatility that helps coaches at the next level sleep at night.  A smooth stroke with a soft touch from deep forces defenders to be there on the catch.  She’s shown some impressive drives off a deceptive shot fake and handles herself well on the way to the rim. Her movement in transition as well as on the cut in the halfcourt is fluid and with intent.  As she matures physically and adds strength good things may turn into great results.

Chloe Chapman – 2019 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Mitchellville, Maryland

Like Boothe, Chapman provided a stellar performance last year competing for a spot on the U16 roster.  Possessing explosive speed and quickness, she’s measured in her approach and picks her spots to attack carefully.  In transition she’s proven to be the same nightmare she was for defenders a year ago but still makes sound decisions without forcing the issue.  Challenging her offensively is the ability to connect consistently and force the tight close outs that open up her penetration and attack.  Defensively she is a major impact on ball and anticipates well from the weakside of the floor.

Charli Collier – 2018 – 6-4 – Post – Mont Belvieu, Texas

The evolution in Collier’s game continues and it’s producing results for the Texas native.  A more focused effort in the low post has made her much more effective and created opportunities not only for herself but for teammates as well.  Her ability to read situations and defenders is improving each time out.  Her choices in both attacks and passing are quicker and more efficient than ever before.  She’s finding looks both baseline side as well as into the middle and traffic.  Collier will still take the perimeter look when it presents itself but is much more selective as to how to mix it into her offensive repertoire.

Nyah Green – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard – Allen, Texas

Another Texan making her presence felt at the Olympic Training Center is this young guard.  Despite her age, she’s been highly regarded among evaluators for some time and has already made a commitment to the University of Louisville.  Constantly on the attack, she uses a luring change of speed to get defenders out of their stance creating penetration opportunities time after time.  In transition she can handle it herself as well as get out in the lanes like an elite sprinter.  The vision is there on the break and she’s adept at down floor passing.  Should defenders sag off even a bit a fluid stroke is there to make them pay a price.  All the tools are there to keep her among the most elite in the class.

Destanni Henderson – 2018 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Fort Myers, Florida

One of the more dynamic efforts thus far has come from this explosive Florida point guard.  Henderson’s attack is relentless and the best way to defender her is to deny her the ball.  On the catch…you’re in trouble.  Off the dribble she’s quick and employs a sharp hesitation move that brings opponents up on their toes and struggling to recover as she goes buy.  She’s also showing an effective step back that covers plenty of ground and provides the space for more than her share of open looks.  If the defenders rotate her way Henderson is able to dish the ball in traffic to a teammate with a better option.

Kasiyahna Kushkituah – 2017 – 6-4 – Post – Austell, Georgia

Kushkituah is another highly regarded recruit who has been in the cross hairs of recruiters for years.  Now, with more size and strength, she presents a challenging match up to defenders.  Despite being mechanical at times, she’s productive down low and is showing refinement in the post moves she calls upon.  As things have progressed here in Colorado her game has become more aggressive and she’s appearing more confident in looking for her own scoring opportunities.  A solid shot fake has created some looks around the rim including a long reaching drop step.  Her best will come further down the road.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa – 2018 – 6-4 – Forward – Winder, Georgia

Few players on hand at the U17 trials have the combination of size and skills that Nelson-Ododa has.  A very lean 6-4, she’s got plenty of speed and agility to challenge bigger defenders.  The ability is there to create her own looks both off the dribble and on the cut.  She’s active without the ball plus has good instincts in reading defenders and the options presented to her.  Her ballhandling gets her to the rim and allows her to navigate traffic better than most forwards her size.  While she handles contact well, her wiry build sees her giving up ground on occasion to stronger defenders.  Only going to get better and better.

Danielle Patterson – 2017 – 6-2 – Forward – Brooklyn, New York

Patterson has both the size and solid build that will serve her well at the collegiate level.  It’s not hurting her that much out here in Colorado either.  While she’s got some perimeter tools for her size, she’s much more effective playing as an inside – out four.  Down low she’s exceptionally strong attacking on the block and from the elbows or trail she’s able to put those perimeter skills to work.  Patterson has demonstrated on several occasions that the tools and willingness are there to be a strong defender and she’s had some moments on the boards as well.

Christyn Williams – 2018 –5-9 –  Guard – Little Rock, Arkansas

An athletic and strong guard, Williams has the attack that challenges any defender in transition or halfcourt sets.  The lefthander is quick on the catch and has the acceleration with the ball to leave her match up scrambling to recover.  Her ballhandling has a mix of changes as well as a step back that creates lines to the rim or separation for her jumper.  Off the drive she can take it all the way to the rim but also elevates for a pull up on a dime.  There’s no reservation on her part about taking it among the bigs and she’s productive on the shot, pass or getting to the line.