COLORADO SPRINGS Colo.—As we enter the final day of trails for the selection of the team that will represent the USA at the U17 World Championships this summer, the selection committee has their work cut out for them in narrowing the field down. Starting with 155, they’ve made two cuts. The first pared the field to 96 and the second down to 70 and Sunday morning they’re hoping to have it down to 45 for the home stretch of selections.
Still among the contenders for an opportunity to suit up for Uncle Sam is the entire Gold Medal FIBA America’s U16 roster from last summer. While past participation isn’t a guarantee for a return engagement, it never hurts for the selection committee and coaching staff to have some familiarity and experience with what a player can actually do in international competition.
You have to like the odds of leading scorers Asia Durr (Douglasville, Ga.) and Katie Lou Samuelson (Huntington Beach, Calif.) as well as fellow backcourt presence Arike Ogunbowale (Milwaukee, Wisc.). Lauren Cox (Flower Mound, Texas) is still looking versatile and effective at the forward spot as is DeJanae Boykin (Springdale, Md.). Nancy Mulkey (Cypress, Texas) who replaced Tori McCoy (Champaign, Ill.) last year when McCoy couldn’t shake concussion symptoms, is demonstrating the great strides the 6-9 post has made in her game over the past year. McCoy, who did claim a spot during the U16 trials last year is back and making an impact big reclaim the opportunity that slipped away from her. The remaining member of the U16 team have all had their moments but so have many who didn’t make the cut last time around.
Of course nobody is a lock at this point and no other age group or transition point in FIBA competition sees more changes in the games and physical growth of the candidates. The approach for these elite athletes now requires training, study and a commitment that may not have been as essential at younger ages. There ‘s a business approach necessary not only for USA participation but scholarship and recruiting efforts as well.
Here’s a pictorial look at all 12 members of last year’s Gold Medal USA U16 team from the past two days of trials. Check back with Blue Star Media for more coverage as the trials continue Sunday and the announcement Monday morning of the final roster for this year’s U17 World Championships.
