COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Day three at the 2018 USA Basketball U17 Trials is a harsh dose of reality for many of the athletes on hand.  The initial cuts of the selection committee are often predictable to a degree but there are always going to be a few that didn’t see it coming and have their eyes opened to a new reality.  Most of the participants in the trials, invited and otherwise are among the best players in their areas and more than likely have not experienced the humbling aspects of being “cut” from a team.  A lot of good basketball goes unrewarded in the selection process for international competition and it’s nuances.  That good play is not being minimalized, it’s just not always going to be the right mix or fit for what is needed for USA Basketball to put their best foot forward.  Many successful college and professional players have come up short in their bid to wear red, white and blue.

Skill workouts began Thursday with 158 athletes in the gym at the United States Olympic Training Center. Saturday’s first cut following the morning session brought the total to 102 and the second took it on down to 70 for the evening session.  Sunday will feature two workouts and see at least one more round of cuts before the “finalists” are named Monday morning leading into the start of formal practice. Ultimately the roster will have to be pared down to the 12 players who will represent the United States in Belarus for the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championships in July.

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/

https://bluestarmedia.org/usa-basketball-u17-trails-day-two/

https://bluestarmedia.org/returning-to-the-mix/

The depth of this year’s pool of talent makes every  spot up for grab and every possession count to the fullest extent. That pool includes the likes of USA returners Azzi Fudd, Samantha Brunelle, Zia Cooke and many more. That being said, today we look at a few of the players who return from that U16 FIBA Americas Gold Medal Team or some who were part of the USA Basketball 2018 Invitation list.  None are guaranteed a spot when the finalists are announced Monday morning and it’s not a guarantee that Sunday come with a speedbump for one or two of them as well.

Sarah Andrews – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Irving, Texas – Invitee – Quick and dynamic ballhandler…Creates options off the drive or pushing it in transition…Deceptive strength for size…Showing off speed both with and without the ball… Improving her teammates options more and more as the trials go on…Uses her quickness defensively as well…Comfort level more apparent each session 

Fran Belibi – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Centennial, Colorado – Returnee– Recent Stanford verbal…Basketball skills are catching physical tools…Playing aggressive and looking to make herself an impact…Attacks the rim with authority and a growing confidence in her moves…Elevates on any shot around the rim…Going to the glass on both ends of the floor…Refinement from just a year ago is obvious…Physical strength is an asset on the defensive end

Aliyah Boston – 2019 – 6-4 – Post – Worcester, Massachusetts – Returnee– 2017 FIBA Americas MVP…Challenging match up for any other big in Colorado Springs…Understands positioning and holds her ground…Wants the ball down low…Has shown some solid high – low passing skills…Runs the floor well for size…No reservations about using physicality…Moves opponents off the block…Impact presence both offensively and defensively

Cameron Brink – 2020 – 6-4 – Forward/Post – Beaverton, Oregon – Invitee– Highly regarded…Continues to evolve…Skill set is deeper and more refined…Playing with confidence…Gets out and runs the floor…Agility is an asset on both ends of the…Has shown range from the perimeter…Catches and reads both down low and at the elbows…Passes out of the post with good choices…Strength is a work in process

Paige Bueckers – 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – St. Louis Park, Minnesota – Returnee– Easily most impressive effort thus far…Plays with natural instincts and an enthusiasm that’s hard to find…Skills are sharp and efficient…Plays with an active and attacking approach in both full and halfcourt scenarios…Makes plays both with and without the ball in her hands…Vision and passing skills are a weapon off penetration and the break…Quick hands and feet on defense

Caitlin Clark – 2020 – 5-11 – Combo – West Des Moines, Iowa – Returnee– Has had up and downs…Tools and instincts are sharp and advanced…Struggling to find her shot at times…Reads defenders and makes solid decisions…Patient and measured in her attack…More physical than first impression…Anticipates on the defensive end…Can make critical plays

Sasha Goforth – 2020 – 6-1 – Wing/Guard – Fayetteville, Arkansas – Invitee– Established…More comfortable each session…Making plays of the drive…Slashes into traffic and can finish with contact…Interior passing is intuitive…Has added strength…Crossover is solid and is used often with a second move…Quick attack on the catch…Spots up…Good form

Jordan Horston – 2019 – 6-0 – Combo – Columbus, Ohio – Returnee– Continues her strong spring…Size and skills set her apart from the crowd…Looking to push the ball but is getting into sets with good decisions…Mixing up her speed and exploiting her height…Smooth in traffic…Elevates on the floater and pull up…Willing to give it up but passing up her own looks at times…Length is serving her well defensively…Getting touches

Gabby Hutcherson – 2020 – 6-2 – Wing – Columbus, Ohio – Invitee– Lots of length with ever improving skills…Creating her own looks more than in the past…Putting it on the floor with more confidence…More assertive in all aspects…Major factor in transition…Can run the lanes or handle the ball as needed…Form is there on the jumper with a fluid stroke…Footspeed is a big asset on defense…Can play multiple roles to get stops

Rickea Jackson – 2019 – 6-2 – Forward/Wing – Detroit, Michigan – Invitee– One of the top performers to this point…Making plays on both ends of the floor…Producing offensively off the dribble or with her jumper…Gets up on her shot…Fades away at times…Versatility allows her to post…Elevation serves her well in the paint…Length and speed makes her one of the top defenders in the mix…Productive and then some

Haley Jones – 2019 – 6-1 – Wing – Santa Cruz, California – Invitee– Picked up the pace each session…Dominated at one stretch…Creates both shots and passes off the dribble…Pull up has been dropping for her…Playing with an advanced awareness…Hesitation and crossover have made her a challenge to contain…Draws defenders and delivers sharp interior passes

Hailey Van Lith – 2020 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Wenatchee, Washington – Invitee– Dynamic point…Strong ball skills allow her to develop and improve options for her and teammates…Attacking mentality has served her well…Pushes at make, miss and turnover…Left hander…Lower body strength gives her leverage off the drive and on the defensive end…Crossover is low and quick…Form and stroke force tight close outs from opponents…Works on defense but needs to contain

Celeste Taylor – 2019 – 5-11 – Guard – Valley Stream, New York – Returnee– Showing off more acceleration out of her moves…Mixing her speed much more efficiently…Gets out in the lanes in transition…Fluid movement makes impressive speed deceptive…First step has gotten her to the rim multiple times in both three on three and in full court play…Pull up is there with plenty of elevation…Assertive on ball defender