COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Four sessions are in the books and two roster cuts have been made leaving 71 athletes hoping to continue their quest to suit up for the USA Basketball U16 national Team. With another cut looming at 8:30 Sunday morning and just three more opportunities to make their case on the court, things are getting intense at the United States Olympic Training Center. As with any situation where elite athletes are competing for roster spots, some individuals appear to be “locks” for a spot, others seem to be in legitimate contention and others still are just a turnover away from packing their bags. While there are plenty of high profile candidates still in contention here in Colorado Springs, there are several others still making their case and creating a name for themselves in the process. Prentice Beverly, Lisa Bodine and I each offer up a look at some emerging prospects still in the mix entering the final day of the selection process.
Prentice Beverly
Jaelyn Brown, a 6 foot 1 Murrieta, California native, is an athletic forward that appears to enjoy playing an up-tempo style of basketball. If you’re a program looking for such a player I suggest you keep your eyes on Brown. She has long arms, speed and the agility to defend multiple positions. She displayed the ability to defend in the post and at the same time be a solid on ball defender on the perimeter. The talented wing / forward rebounded the ball well at both ends and showed that she can push the ball on the fast break. She is a good leaper that finishes in paint. Brown has a nice stroke but the sophomore to be must continue to develop her low post and midrange game. Brown has the potential to be a solid BCS prospect.
Lisa Bodine
Often young scoring guards struggle to find their comfort zone at the trials. Fortunately, 2016 Chassity Carter was able to find her offensive groove just as the first round of cuts trimmed the rosters. A shade under 6 foot, Carter is a long athletic player who can create her own shot in a variety of ways. She can attack the basket in traffic and finish at the rim with either hand. With her ability to handle the ball, she keeps defenders off balance, can blow by them or pull up for a jumper when closely guarded. Carter brings the same intensity on defense. Her quick lateral speed allows her to be extremely disruptive on the perimeter and inside the paint. With her natural feel for scoring, Carter has the ability to take her game to another level as she continues to develop and mature.
Mark Lewis
The always elusive combination of size, mobility and perimeter skills can be found in 2015 guard / forward Bridget Herlihy. Taking the floor at 6-2, she has the frame and build to mix it up with the bigs inside but the agility to get them out of their stance and leave them behind with her penetration. The Braintree, Mass. Native reads defenders well regardless of size and can create her own looks or force defensive rotations developing options for teammates. The first step is deceptively long and particularly efficient at keeping smaller opponents sealed on her side and looking for help. Her ability to finish around the rim is reliable and both the stroke and touch are there to force tight close outs deeper on the perimeter. Herlihy has the tools to excel in motion and four out sets and could be a tremendous asset in any transition oriented offensive attack. That same size and frame give her the tools to be an assertive defender and the effort she plays with allows her to make more than her share of plays. Despite not surviving the second round of roster cuts, she’s well-established as a solid prospect in the upcoming junior class.
