COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Basketball appointed three coaches that are prepared to lead the next generation of young, talented hopefuls.

Mark Campbell (Union University (Tenn.) has been selected as head coach of the 2019 USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team, along with assistant coaches Kelly Carruthers of Bowie (Arlington, Texas) and Ruth Sinn of University of St. Thomas (Minn.). This is Campbell and Sinn’s first coaching stint with USA Basketball, while Carruthers previously served as a court coach for the 2015 USA Women’s U16 National Team trials.

Chaired by USA Basketball Women’s National Team director Carol Callan, the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Committee is responsible for selecting the U.S. coaching staff, which is approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.

“This trio of coaches has compiled impressive records of success at their schools, and our committee is delighted to have them take the reins of the U16 national team program,” Callan said. “Proven winners, teachers and eager representatives of our country, this staff is the right group of coaches to go to Chile to compete in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship and earn a spot in next year’s FIBA U17 World Cup.”

Trials to select the 12-member USA U16 National Team will be held May 23-27 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Following the trials, team finalists will remain for training camp through May 31, when the official 12-member roster is expected to be announced. Training camp will be held June 5-15, with the U16 FIBA Americas Championship competition running June 16-22 in Puerto Aysen, Chile.

Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens born on or after Jan. 1, 2003.

Campbell recently completed his 20^th season (1999-00 to present) as Union University head coach after serving as the men’s graduate assistant during the 1993-94 season and the men’s assistant coach from 1996-97 to 1998-99. He has compiled an overall record of 613-94 (.867 winning percentage) in his time as head coach.

“No question, it’s a big surprise for me and a big honor,” Campbell said. “I’m honored to represent our country and to be able to do something I’ve never done before. I love teaching, I love making an impact in young people’s lives and I can’t think of a better place to do it on a national scale than to do it through USA Basketball.”

Carruthers, the seven-time District 4-6A Coach of the Year, recently completed her eighth season (2011-12 to present) as head coach for James Bowie High School in Texas and has compiled a 228-53 overall record (.811). 

For the past seven consecutive seasons, the Lady Vols have earned the District 4-6A championship and advanced to the area playoffs and as far as the regional tournament in previous years. In Carruthers eight seasons as head coach, 98% of her players have received a basketball scholarship to play at the collegiate level.

Sinn recently completed her 14^th season (2005-06 to present) and has compiled an overall record of 329-81 (.802) as head coach at University of St. Thomas. Over the last eight seasons, Sinn has led St. Thomas to three NCAA DIII Final Fours and four other Sweet 16s. Sinn has been named Region Coach of the Year twice and MIAC Coach of the Year four times. 

In 2018-19, the Tommies finished 30-2 and went undefeated with an 18-0 slate in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Since FIBA Americas initiated the U16 Championship in 2009, USA teams have compiled a 24-1 record and won gold in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2017. USA U16 National Team players of note include: Aliyah Boston (2017), Samantha Brunelle (2017), Lauren Cox (2013), Kaela Davis (2011), Asia Durr (2013), Andra Espinoza-Hunter (2015), Rebecca Greenwell (2011), Arike Ogunbowale (2013), Katie Lou Samuelson (2013), Breanna Stewart (2009) and Elizabeth Williams (2009). — USA Basketball Communications