COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The remaining candidates for the 12 USA Basketball U17 National Team roster spots are still hard at work trying to secure a seat at the table for the July FIBA World Championships. There are 18 players now in “practice” mode through the end of the day Wednesday when the final cut will be made. Coach Carla Berube and her staff have been getting a good look at the athletes since Monday morning’s “finalist” announcement with both practice sessions as well as a scrimmage Monday evening with the U18 National Team following their own final roster announcement. Tuesday brought two more practice sessions as well as some good five on five fullcourt competition. The depth of this year’s pool of talent made just getting down to 18 a mountainous undertaking. The challenge now will be finding the perfect line up that provides the best collection of commitment, positions, specific skills and chemistry that will put the USA in the best position to reclaim the gold in Belarus.
Because we’ve been on hand from the start of the trials and also because we’ll not see two thirds of these elite 18 athletes during the July NCAA evaluation period, we thought we might offer up a quick look at each before they wrap up training camp and head back to their respective home gyms. Obviously all are already high profile prospects that been under the watchful eyes of recruiters, evaluators and media for some time despite their youthful U17 status. There are already four college commitments among the finalists. River Baldwin (Andalusia, Alabama) is heading to Florida State while Fran Belibi (Centennial, Colorado) recently committed to Stanford. Samantha Brunelle (Ruckersville, Virginia) has verballed to Muffet McGraw and Notre Dame while Celeste Taylor (Valley Stream, New York) is joining the Longhorns at the University of Texas. All four are members of the 2019 graduating class. The final decisions may well be made by the time you read this but we’re going to take a last look at these 18 none the less.
If you want to look back, listed below are links from our previous coverage provided throughout the trials. Of course Blue Star Media will be courtside in Minsk when the FIBA U17 World championships tip off July 21stwith coverage and insight from the Godfather himself, Mike Flynn. As always we’ll be on the road throughout June and July covering the best in girls basketball including the highly regarded Blue Star 30 event slated this year for June 27 – 30 in Las Vegas.
https://bluestarmedia.org/2018-usa-basketball-u17-national-team-finalists/
https://bluestarmedia.org/depth-and-disappointment/
https://bluestarmedia.org/returning-to-the-mix/
https://bluestarmedia.org/usa-basketball-u17-trails-day-two/
https://bluestarmedia.org/usa-u17-trials-day-one/
River Baldwin– 2019 – 6-5 – Post – Andalusia, Alabama– Florida State verbal…Has always had the size and frame…Ability is there to run the floor…Utilizes strength to obtain and hold position in the low post…Not afraid of contact and goes up strong…Does alter her shot to get it off rather than just taking the foul and going to the line at times…Has a good shot fake she could call on more often…Active cutter block to block or high to low…Perimeter form is there but the shot can be flat at times…Battles defensively…Decent agility allows her to stay between and contest shots both down low and defending the elbows or trail…Works hard on the glass…Quick with the outlet
Fran Belibi– 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Centennial, Colorado– Stanford commit…Shaping up to be a “true” power forward…Despite being a senior still young as a player…Explosive athlete…Elevates both to score and on the boards…First step has always been strong but is applied with good reads and intent…Physical strength is beyond most with her fame…Doesn’t just rely on physical tools, strong work ethic and effort…Gets out in transition and can run with the guards…Further refinement of interior attack will come…Perimeter form is evolving but still has an occasional forward action…Defensive approach is aggressive with no reservations about mixing things up…Rebounds with authority…Still just scratching the surface
Aliyah Boston– 2019 – 6-4 – Post – St. Thomas, Virgin, Islands– Imposing presence down low…Can establish and hold her post up against any defender among her peers…Continues to add to and sharpen her post repertoire…Spins off defenders at times…Wants the ball…Need to step to the pass at times when contested…Has improved her decisions and passing skills…Playing with more patience on the catch…Triggering the break but getting out and running the floor as well…Not the ball screen you want to run into as a defender…Aggressive defender herself…Can move her match up off the block or up the key…Impacts play on both ends…The one you want to play with…not against
Cameron Brink– 2020 – 6-4 – Forward – Beaverton, Oregon– Added length…Build is still lean but doesn’t shy away from contact…Additional strength will be an asset in the future…Agility is on display more and more…Form and touch are there on the perimeter forcing opposing bigs to close out and become vulnerable…Creating her own looks off short drives and pull ups…Will take it baseline into traffic…Gets out quickly and makes herself an option in transition…Can post up and finish down low…Reads well on the catch and can find open options passing out…Length makes her a factor on the defensive end as does lateral footspeed for size…Again, added strength will be a plus down the road
Samantha Brunelle– 2019 – 6-2 – Forward – Ruckersville, Virginia– Notre Dame verbal…Continues to add to the depth and versatility in her game…Tools are there to score herself or improve and exploit teammates options…Plays with an expanded awareness…Consistency waivers at times but range and touch keep defenders honest…Major asset both shooting or passing from the trail spot in transition…Just as content to deliver the ball as take it herself…Good vision and vocal on the defensive end of the floor…Length is an asset both contesting or getting a hand on passes…Comes up with boards among bigger opponents…Finds her perimeter teammates quickly with the outlet to start the break…Brings maturity and USA experience to the floor
Paige Bueckers– 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – St. Louis Park, Minnesota – One of the more consistent top performers at the trials…Makes plays off both skills and instincts…Mixes her attack between penetration and an effective pull up…Off the drive delivered some lethal interior passes as the bigs came her way…Changes direction at full speed in transition…Keeps her dribble off the hesitation exploiting defenders reactions…Slender build doesn’t inhibit her in traffic or finishing around the rim…Protects the ball going up…Active defender…Takes chances at time but sees the ball from the weakside and anticipates well…Has the natural knack and intuitive game that you can’t coach
Alli Campbell– 2020 – 6-0 – Guard – Altoona, Pennsylvania– Had some ups and downs throughout the trials but made impressive plays at the right time…Reads the floor as well as anyone…Makes herself a factor in the halfcourt as well as out on the break…Shot is right out front but the touch and release are there to make her a legitimate and proven threat on the wing…Plenty of range is there as an asset too…Showing some added size and additional strength since last summer…Attacks the rim off early entry passes in transition…Understands numbers and defensive rotations for solid shot/pass decisions…Uses that same awareness herself on the other end…Takes a good cushion on close outs against the ultra-quicks…Continues to be a contributor even if the shot is cold on occasion
Zia Cooke– 2019 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Toledo, Ohio– In command on the floor…Things happen when she’s attacking…Ballhandling has become even more intuitive but does get sloppy on occasion against assertive on ball defenders…Always classified as more a scorer than a shooter but the stroke and range always force defenders to respect her on the catch anywhere in the halfcourt…Slowly evolving back to the role she played a year ago with the U16 Gold Medal team…Shared the ball off penetration more and more as the trials went on…Getting to the rim has not been a problem to create both shots and passes…Elevation is exceptional off the drive and provides good looks even with defenders rotating her way…Quick hands and feet on the defensive end make her an impact defender at times…Tools are there to be dominant tip to buzzer
Azzi Fudd– 2021 – 5-11 – Point Guard – Arlington, Virginia– Depth of her game continues to improve…Not content to let the momentum in her game or skills stagnate…Combination of size and skills makes her a challenge to defend…Pushing the ball at opportunity…Plays with an advanced understanding of the teammates she’s on the floor with…Mixed up perimeter and interior options of her own…Has shown an interest in getting to the rim more and more…Handles contact well and gets the ball off against physical opposition…Eyes are constantly surveying the floor…Talented scorer but aware and willing to give it up as better possibilities evolve…On ball defense is becoming more aggressive and containing…Taking away options and making her match-up work for everything
Aubrey Griffin– 2019 – 6-1 – Guard – Ossining, New York– Not a surprise but certainly an impressive effort from start to finish…Smooth, fluid and athletic at the guard spot…No residual appearance of knee issues…Scored in a variety of ways…Changed speed off the drive and got defenders out of their stance or lunging…Nice elevation and touch come with her floater off penetration…Somewhat upright at times but confident going both ways…Quiet production but consistent performer…Measured approach on defense helps her utilize size and reach…Sees the floor on both ends…Made plays
Hannah Gusters– 2020 – 6-5 – Post – DeSoto, Texas– Making the most of her first appearance at the USA Trials…Combines size, strength and advancing skills…Has progressed at a constant and steady pace…Works hard down low but can make plays in the high post as well…Playing with more confidence each time out…Reads are now becoming reactions and proving to be consistent productivity…Baby hook is a challenge to contest and getting called upon more often…Gets up and down the floor challenging other bigs to dig a little deeper…Can hold her ground defensively…Imposing presence as a weakside defender…Contributes at an elite level
Jordan Horston– 2019 – 6-0 – Combo – Columbus, Ohio– Probably the most versatile player in Colorado Springs…Legitimate size with advanced backcourt skills…Throw in exceptional speed and quickness and you’ve an opposing coach’s nightmare…Wants the ball and wants to make things happen…Gets into the paint virtually at will…Can finish at the rim but elevates for the pull up or pass more often than not…Could actually look for her own scoring more to force defenders into a corner…Ultimate asset in the transition game…Actually faster with the ball than many defenders are without…Rises above the crowd…Perimeter shot is getting there…Release is still off forehead to a degree but consistency is coming…Vertical and length make her a force on the boards from the perimeter…Tools are there to be an impact defender with reach, lateral footspeed and instincts
Rickea Jackson– 2019 – 6-2 – Forward/Wing – Detroit, Michigan– Consistent play at the highest level start to finish…Continues a strong spring and summer…Making plays in multiple ways…Can create her own options but sees the floor off the drive as well…Not affected by rotations with her own length and elevation…Changes direction well forcing bigger match-ups to have to get on their heels to recover…Sound form and smooth stroke get the benefit of that same vertical to provide clean looks at the rim…Large part of her offensive attack is the result of her defensive effort…Makes picks and goes coast to coast to convert…Quickness and wingspan allow her to force high floating passes teammates can pick…Defensive tools are there to match up #1 – #4…Game changer on both ends of the floor
Haley Jones– 2019 – 6-1 – Guard/Wing – Santa Cruz, California– Another elite representative of “versatility”…Has both length and speed…Combines with a fluid athleticism making her a factor in full and halfcourt…Skills are sharp but magnified even more by an impressive understanding of what’s going on around her…Well coached…Consistent and “level” emotional approach…Not too high on positive, no overreaction to bad…Creating options off the drive as she has in the past…The pull up is second choice to the penetrate and pass…Sees the floor in transition and off the drive in the halfcourt…Crossover and hesitation look even sharper…Form and stroke are sound but base is narrow on her jumper…Calculated defensively…Anticipates one and two passes away…Shows depth in every aspect of the game
Charisma Osborne– 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Moreno Valley, California– Played some of her best basketball…Speed is deceptive because of the “smooth” approach to her attack…Utilizes both ballskills and ball fakes to get defenders off balance and out of position…Hesitation is serving her well…First step leaves opponents scrambling to recover or calling or help…Can take it all the way to rim or is just as comfortable pulling up in mid-range…Small twist dropping the left foot on her jumper could impact consistency at times…Still knocks down her share…Strength is surprising for size…Good presence on the glass for a guard…Getting more and more physical as an assertive on ball defender…Not an “invitee” but among the elite in the trials
Angel Reese– 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Randallstown, Maryland– Easily one of her most impressive performances to date…Confidence is at an all-time high…Added size and strength contribute to an already depth of skills…Producing around the rim as well as effectively off the high post drive…Comfortable improving her own looks or those of teammates…Perimeter shot is still a work in process but coming along…Confidence is there to be a threat from the elbows or trail spot…Becoming more active off the ball and occupying helpside defenders…Rebounding with more and more physicality…Length and athleticism allow her to be a versatile presence on the defensive end
Celeste, Taylor– 2019 – 5-11 – Guard – Valley Stream, New York– Texas commit…Roller coaster for an elite guard…Rims were frosty from perimeter and off the drive…Still continued to attack and made herself a factor on the break or in the halfcourt…First step has extraordinary length for a guard and extension to finish protects the ball from recovering defenders…Nice size and strength also challenge opponents who close out to take away the jumper…Has feisty confidence on the defensive end…Competes and contests…Will put a body on her opponent all the way to the rim…Frustration was obvious but never let up or changed her game
Hailey Van Lith– 2020 – 5-9 – Point Guard – Wenatchee, Washington– Attacking and skilled point guard…Lower body strength is exceptional for a player her size…Sound speed but elite quickness…First step off ballhandling moves creates both separation and options for her…Lefthander that can get to the rim or pull up on a dime…Change of speed and hesitation are the go to elements in her attack…Quick release is there from the jumper, pull up or floater…Simply put, can score the ball…Gets it off in traffic when penetrating…Step back covers plenty of ground to get off the long ball…Can be score first mentality at times but ultimately still remains productive…Works on the defensive end and attempts to anticipate with both hands and feet…Came up with some strips but also gave up penetration on several occasions…Effort and execution
