More than the usual suspects were still around after the USA Youth Selection Committee posted their list of 44 players for the start of the 9am workout session Sunday morning. This would be the first of three sessions that would last until 7:30pm. The expected names were still on the board for morning session except one as USA Basketball invitee Aliyah Juene was cut. From my Top 40 list there were 39 to start the day but six were cut from my batch. Those were Bridget Herlihy first, then Shalexxus Aaron, Makenzie Ellis, Qalea Ismail, Jasmine Jeffcoat, Sydney Morang and Jeune.
The big surprise was that Kelly Koshuta was still alive for the morning session after putting on a big display of offense against all comers the night before. The best big girl here Tori McCoy was not able to participate in the first session as she was still suffering from the effects of a concussion towards the end of Saturday night’s competition.
The morning started with the players divided up into different teams once again. No surprises here as the observers were aware of all the talent following two days of extensive evaluation. The Committee also told the players there would be no cuts during the entire day. We were expecting at least a noon or afternoon cut down to at least 20-24 players, but It didn’t happen and it was open competition all day long. The final cut will come as the USA 16U team will be announced tomorrow morning to all 44 last day participants.
With only one group to view instead of two, the sessions on Sunday would not be as long as prior days. Also it would be easier to see Group 1 players versus Group 2 players in head to head play. This one group approach changed the dynamic of the day’s competition as the people were now facing different players from the other group competing for the same spots.
The four teams were playing two at a time with the other two watching or working on offensive sets on the next court. The interesting part of the afternoon session was the stepped up defense plus the competition inside at the post as well as outside at the guard line. The Committee wanted an specific offense run which the defense knew and created havoc with all those offensive oriented players who are used to open or breakdown styles. Except for a few shots and moves it was bear down defense at both ends. Most of the offensive top players didn’t go off as easily as in earlier games or the day before.
From my top10 it became clear that the pressure was also showing on them as some other players, such as Joyner Holmes, were making enough noise to move one of them out. Some other guards stepped up and made a statement to be that last possible choice. My Top 10 list was Group 1: Tea Cooper, Kennedy Burke, DeJanae Boykin, Katie Lou Samuelson and Lauren Cox. From Group 2: Taylor Murray, Jaelyn Brown, Asia Durr, Kalani Brown and the sidelined Tori McCoy. These players above were being challenged and at last two or three moved from makes to the bubble list for me. Who stepped up? Joyner Holmes, Arike Ogunbowale, Taja Cole, Erin Boley and Amber Ramirez. It was noted that pressure stepped up on stars Natalie Chou, Asia Durr and Katie Lou Samuelson.
I had two open spots but it will depend on what the committee ultimately wants the team construction to be. In the past, during Cycle One it was obvious they were not fully aware of the international game and took some heat for it. Cycle Two got better with team selections as that talented group was above the norm and made it easy. Cycle Three will now test the eyeballs and viewpoints of this new committee. So far they have done a great job spotting talent and making the right choices.
If I could pick this team tomorrow my list would be: Guards: Murray, Cooper, Ogunbowale – Wing: Durr, W/F Boykin – Forwards: Cox, J.Brown, Burke, Samuelson – Posts: Joyner, K.Brown, McCoy, and Mulkey (with one being an alternate). Next stop Cancun in a few weeks for the FIBA Americas 16U.
