COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Friday’s workouts at the United States Olympic Training Center included morning and afternoon skill sessions followed by the opening “trials” in the evening to wrap up day two. With 158 athletes on hand the selection committee will need to narrow the scope quickly to find that “right” roster make-up for the FIBA U17 World Championships in Belarus come July. The scheduled announcement for the finalists is slated for Monday morning. Last year 15 players went into practice sessions with three more released to get to the final roster of 12 before the team headed home from Colorado Springs.
For more of our ongoing coverage today we look at four athletes not among the returnees from the Gold Medal U16 team or on the USA Basketball “invitation list”. Don’t mistake them for unknown, under the radar or players without a horse in the race this week. All four are not a secret to knowledgeable college recruiters, evaluators, media or even the selection committee sitting on the far end of the gym. Each has had some moments on days one and two and will certainly be back at it Saturday morning with hopes of getting by the anticipated first cuts that should happen midday.
To see our coverage from the USA Basketball U17 Trials thus far, follow the links below. Check back with Blue Star Media throughout for additional coverage, images and evaluations.
https://bluestarmedia.org/usa-u17-trials-day-one/
https://bluestarmedia.org/first-day-at-usa-basketball-u17-trails/
A solidly built forward, San Diego’s Isuneh Bradyis no stranger despite her 2022 grad date. We’ve had the chance to follow her progress at multiple events and she continues to show the promise we saw first time out. The physical tools have been there for a while. The 6-2 Brady can hold her own with players with multiple years on her. She appears to love the contact and has a good understanding of the benefits on both sides of the ball. A left hander, she’s looking for the ball down low but has shown some promise from the high post and trail spot. She reads on the catch and demonstrates impressive instincts for a young big. The form is there up top on her shot but a slight twist down below will need to be squared up for consistency down the road. Brady is among some big, physical and older posts here in Colorado Springs but has shown plenty of moments to give anyone watching the impression she’ll be back schooling some young posts herself in future trials.
Certainly 2021 post Amari DeBerryneeds no introduction to those in the know on the basketball landscape. The 6-5 resident of Williamsville, New York has the size and build that has the other teams glancing to the other end of the floor during warm ups. Don’t think that size keeps her from being mobile and agile. She’s active in making herself an option down low and has a lengthy first step to offer herself as an option on block to block or elbow to block cuts. The target she provides her perimeter teammates is hard to miss and also demonstrates her understanding of positioning and where she might want the ball. DeBerry can get out and run the floor in turn forcing opposing posts to wear themselves down over the course of a game. Her perimeter stroke is smooth and fluid with a high release point. The sophomore to be even offered up a jump hook on one occasion. Her agility translates well to the defensive end as does her reach. Additional strength will be a major asset moving forward.
We’ve seen Olivia Milesmultiple time over the past couple of years and she never fails to offer up those advancements you look for in the game of a top tier player. The 5-9 combo guard has the tools to develop and improve both shots and passes. She’s smooth and fluid on the catch and sets up opponents with an very deceptive change of speed. The 2021 graduate navigates traffic well and protects the ball both on the break or off the drive. Miles, from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, can keep her dribble and make multiple moves to get defenders overcommitting or lunging providing a clear lane to the rim. She’s improved her attack in terms of efficiency and finds most of her options north – south these days with a new selective use of her ballskills. There’s good elevation on her jumper and that same fluidity translates to her stroke both spotting up or off the pull up. The speed and quickness from the offensive side goes hand in hand with some sharp anticipation on the defensive end of the floor.
Sometimes it’s the smooth, quiet attack that produces results on the stat sheet and scoreboard. Madelynne Scherr out of Florence, Kentucky may not be the flashiest player on the floor but she’s certainly one of the more productive. Don’t take this wrong, she got a well-honed skill set and can make plays utilizing a tremendous understanding of the game. At 5-10 she’s got some good size that combines with some deceptive athleticism to challenge opponents who draw her as a match-up. Scherr picks her spots and exploits mistakes defenders make on their close outs or weakside positioning. She’s not one of those players who needs the ball in her hands to be an option. The 2020 class member makes herself an option off cuts and screens with good reads and patience. With the ball she can draw helpside defenders and deliver sharp and intuitive passes even in traffic. The kind of teammate you want to play with.
