COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Day two of the 2017 USA Basketball U16 Trials is in the books and there’s lots of speculation around the gym about just who might be separating themselves from the pack.  Ultimately the selection committee will have to thin the heard and come up with a 12 player roster to carry Old Glory down to Buenos Aires for the FIBA Americas Championships.  The first cut is scheduled following Saturday morning’s session and it’s a safe bet they’ll be a few sleepless nights among the 133 hopefuls when they head back to the gym.

This time around we’re taking a look at three standouts across the first four sessions at the US Olympic Training Center.  Don’t jump ahead and read anything into this as anything more than three performances worthy of acknowledgement by those wandering the sidelines.  The agenda and responsibilities of the selection committee reach much further than simply some strong moments on the floor.  It’s always important to keep in mind that the trials are, by definition, an “audition” rather than a traditional try out.  Playing good basketball as these three have done thus far goes a long way to improve the odds of wearing red, white and blue but lots of basketball, evaluations and decisions are still on the horizon here in Colorado Springs.

One of the point guards making a strong case to run the show in Argentina is Zia Cooke out of Toledo, Ohio and Rogers High School.  The dynamic 5-8 playmaker continues to evolve and mature as a leader both in the halfcourt and particularly on the break.  Cooke has the quickness and speed that will challenge virtually any match-up and a skill set that allows her to maximize their use.  Her development as a floor leader is evidenced by her increased ability to make those around her more productive.  She’s utilizing both her change of direction and hesitation moves with consistent success and leaving opposing defenders scrambling to recover.  While leaving your feet on penetration can occasionally leave you hung out to dry, Cooke’s elevation and capacity to read rotating defenders allows her to make the most of the situation by both pass and shot.  The touch is there from the perimeter and the pull up benefits from the same elevation as the drive. That same speed and quickness puts her in a position to be a strong on ball defender and an active threat on the weakside.

Rickea Jackson’s performance during round one of the Nike 2017 EYBL should have been an obvious indicator to anyone following the club circuit that the 6-1 forward is making a statement this spring.  Here in Colorado Springs, the Detroit Edison junior to be continues to challenge defenders of both quickness and size.  Her ability to create her own looks comes both off the dribble as well as a byproduct of some active and aggressive cuts.  On the catch, she has a great sense of her defender and often utilizes a quick spin move to create separation and scoring opportunities.  In traffic, she protects the ball effectively and handles contact well despite her lean build.  Putting it on the floor, Jackson’s crossover would be the envy of some guards and her change of direction is sharp and sudden.  The shot is there if given time on the perimeter but the pull up from mid-range is equal to the task as well.  She’s a factor in the full court game both getting out on the break as well as getting back in transition defense.  Lots more to come.

If you liked Natalija Marshall last summer you’re going to love her this time around.  The Forest Hills, New York native now stands a legitimate 6-4 and is beginning to add the strength that will make her a force on both ends of the floor.  The Christ the King forward gets out and runs the court and demonstrated the ability to make casual defenders pay a price for not being able to keep up with her lengthy stride.  While just a 2020 grad, Marshall is exhibiting more depth to her game and a patience that was much needed.  On the block, she gets big and holds her seal well against both physical and bigger opponents.  On the catch, she can utilize a jump hook that has shown more refinement as well as some fluid post moves that serve her much more efficiently these days.  The capacity to put it on the floor is there but occasionally becomes the victim of overuse.  Her perimeter shot is coming around enough to keep defenders honest from the trail spot or the elbows with continued work and repetitions.  The upside to her game is in her hands.