COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The USA Basketball U16 Trials feature 34 invited athletes and another 115 “applicant” participants competing for just 12 roster spots up for grabs this summer. The prize this time around is to represent Uncle Sam in the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championships beginning June 24 in Puebla, Mexico.
For all but 16 of the hopefuls on hand this is the first time taking part in the USA Basketball selection process. While many on hand are already established names among those who follow women’s basketball recruiting, many more have lesser national profiles or have yet to even make a splash in the talent pool. Rather than focus on those “big dogs”, today we take a quick look at four players who are no stranger to the well informed but who might not yet be household names in the recruiting circles. As of this writing there have been three “skill sessions” and just one round of the trials competition. The first cuts will come tomorrow afternoon following a morning session of games. There’s lots of competition remaining for the opportunity to wear red, white and blue this summer. Check back with Blue Star Media between now and Monday morning’s roster announcement for more coverage and updates.
Celeste Taylor offered up several moments Friday to catch the attention of those sitting courtside. The 5-9 guard has a wiry build that combines with some deceiving athleticism. Her first step is quick and gets her into the paint where she navigates traffic efficiently. The Valley Stream, New York native gets off the ground and worked well with contact for her size. Her perimeter shot will need some consistency for defenders to continue to close out and contest. That same first step gives her some sound lateral speed on the defensive end of the floor. Just a 2019, Taylor is a work in progress worth keeping an eye on.
A 2018 guard from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Christianna Carr is beginning to come into her own. Standing 5-11, she’s got an athletic build with some length that may still get a few more inches before all is said and done. She can create off the dribble but has the touch and range to knock it down consistently out beyond the arch. She does have a narrow base on her shot but a quick release gets her plenty of unchallenged looks in transition in the halfcourt. The length mentioned before comes with an extended reach that makes her a strong defender both on and off the ball.
A very early Purdue verbal commit, 2017 Dani Lawson’s resume isn’t familiar to many outside the Midwest. At 6-2 she’s got a solid build and good mobility on both ends of the floor. She’s confident with the ball around the rim and reads defenders effectively before attacking. The Shaker Heights, Ohio resident is also a factor without the ball in her hands. Lawson cuts hard both off screens and on simple basket cuts. Additionally, she’s a solid asset freeing up teammates setting some physical and well thought screens of her own.
Lauryn Miller can be a factor down low with a power game but also has a skill set that lets her be a factor in transition as well with some sharp passing. The 6-2 2017 forward from Kirkwood, Missouri had a sequence of plays during the first round of competition that demonstrated and aggressive attack both with the ball and on the boards. She’s got a strong build that combines with some smooth agility that can make her a difficult match up. The depth of her offensive arsenal will be interesting to see as the trials progress.
