COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.– With so much talent on hand for the USA Basketball U17 trials it isn’t difficult to pick out some promising prospects both for USA possibilities as well as a future at the college level. In the end only 12 will get to wear the red white and blue this summer and compete for the gold in the U17 World Championships hosted by the Czech Republic. With such a limited number of roster spots, there’s plenty of talent that may or may not be tabbed Monday morning. Kevin Lynch, Lisa Bodine and Prentice Beverly all offer their takes on three participants in the trials who have done enough to catch their eyes. We’ll have to wait and see if it’s enough for the committee but for now here are three from our three at Blue Star Media.
Kevin Lynch
Joyner Holmes- 6-3 – 2016 – Cedar Hill, Texas
If our good Lord were to put together a basketball body, Holmes may just have the one. She has been a consistent terror on the boards and beating the opposition post player down the court for easy layups time and again. Offensively she has the ability to hit the mid-range jumper and her ability to catch and power dribble to the rim has been difficult to stop. Defensively she is adept at forcing the other post away from the basket with her strength and quick enough to react to their attempted moves. Her explosive leaping ability allows her to be a force on the help side.
Robbi Ryan – 5-9 – 2016 – Sheridan, Wyoming
When watching a tryout with 145 players it’s tough to notice everybody. Everyone knows the big name kids, the players returning from last years Gold Medal winning team and the big rep kids. The last few days every time I look I see number 216 making plays. Ryan does nothing flashy, but gets results. She has a very strong build and her playing style reminds me of Iowa star Samantha Logic. Offensively she puts pressure on the opposition by always attacking until stopped followed by a sweet pull-up or a dish to a cutting teammate. Defensively she is a physical pest playing right in her match up’s grill and not backing off.
Kristine Anigwe – 6’4 – 2015 – Phoenix Arizona
There are a lot of post players here, many over 6’2, but none of them have outworked Anigwe. Each time down the court she posts hard and physical while wanting the ball. She needs some work on balance and footwork, but when the ball goes up she will go over or through you to get it. Her body type and athletic ability remind me of former Maryland star and Final Four most outstanding player Laura Harper. Defensively, she sprints back every time and goes after every loose ball like it contained her last meal. Coach Gottlieb at Cal will be very happy with her.
Lisa Bodine
Taylor Sutton – 5-5 – 2018 – Hampton, Georgia
Even though she didn’t survive the first round of cuts point guard Taylor Sutton did some good work during the trial session. Her ultra-quick first step allows her to break down defenses with ease and her ability to handle the ball under pressure make her a tough match up. Sutton’s skill set is advanced for her age. She has an impressive arsenal of offensive moves including being able to hit a jumper off a crossover dribble. Expect to see her back at another USA basketball event as a high school player.
Sydney Zambrotta – 5-9 – 2016 – North Babylon, New York
Zambrotta is one of the more physical guards here in Colorado Springs. Known more as a shooting guard she showed that she is equally comfortable running the point as well. She did a great job setting up her team’s offense and looked for her shot within the flow of the game. The lefty is capable of handling the ball well with either hand and she can change directions quickly forcing the defense to shift. Once she penetrates the paint there’s no problem finding an open teammate. Defensively, Zambrotta uses her strength to fight through screens and disrupt the passing lanes on the perimeter. Making it through two rounds of roster reductions should give her plenty confidence going into the final sessions because she demonstrated she can compete with the best guards in the country.
Kylee Shook – 6-4 – 2016 – Colorado Springs, Colorado
A Colorado Springs native, Shook didn’t have to travel far to show off her skills in a national event. She is extremely mobile and quick off her feet. She can rebound outside of her area and finish at the rim. Shook is a tremendous shot blocker and knows how to extend her arms into the shot path while keeping her body under control to avoid the foul. She is always a presence on the court even when she doesn’t have the ball in her hands. Shook knows how to screen for her guards and keep the proper spacing on pick and rolls. Whether she is in the high or low post she has a knack for drawing double teams finding a way to score or make a pass to an open teammate. With her natural talent and skill it is the intangibles that really stand out.
Prentice Beverly
Te’a Cooper – 5-8 – 2015 – Powder Springs, Georgia
Last year we saw Te’a Cooper play extremely well but fail to make the USA 16 under squad. This year Cooper has turned up her game another notch by practicing and training harder than ever with one goal in mind; to make the USA U17 squad. Cooper’s game is continuing to evolve and her performance thus far in the trials has been off the charts. She fits the definition of a true point guard keeping cool, calm and collected. Cooper has all the moves and passes to make her teammates better. She does a great job creating opportunities and feeding the hot hand. The Georgia native loves to push the rock up the floor but she also understands tempo and when to slow it down. Cooper has a tremendous command of her dribble and can get in the paint at will. Defensively, she is a physical on ball defender that anticipates well and jumps the passing lanes. A newly added three point stroke appears to complete her package. Cooper, an uncommitted 2015, has indeed given the selection committee something to ponder.
Natalie Chou – 6-1 – 2016 – Plano, Texas
Chou is a long guard with a high basketball IQ and great handles that help set up her nice midrange game and three point stroke. She is a solid defender and rebounds well for a guard. Chou does an excellent job attacking the paint with a nice pull up shot in the lane. She already directs her squad like a coach on the floor and is a competitor with the ability to get to the rim almost whenever she wants. Chou has a big time game with a load of potential to get better. The selection committee passed on her last year but after this year’s performance and the added maturity to her game the committee will be hard pressed to pass on Chou for a spot on Team USA.
Anna Wilson – 5-7 – 2016 – Richmond, Virginia
When you look up point guard in a basketball dictionary it’s a good possibility a picture of Anna Wilson will appear. An early Stanford Cardinal commit, she’s a true point guard with a high basketball IQ and a controlled calmness far beyond her years. Wilson has played extremely well directing her squad and playing shutdown defense. Her play is as tough as it comes and there’s a knack for always making the right play. It will be interesting to see if Wilson name appears on the final roster.
