Colorado Springs, CO – Fifty-three players came to the U16 USA Basketball Junior National Team trials to earn a spot on the team that plays in the FIBA U16 Americas tournament next month in Mexico. Yesterday the USAB selection committee cut down the list immediately from 53 to 22 after the second Sunday session. It was a big, hard cut without the usual second-round cut.
This cut was unexpected considering the amount of talent and similar skilled players trying to earn one of the 12 roster spots. At prior U16 trials over the years there were sometimes more players, more sessions and more rounds of cuts until the last day. This time one group – one cut – to the 22 finalists. Ten more to go.
Those making the second round are: Jacy Abii TX, Darriana Alexander OH, Kelsi Andrews AL, Addison Bjorn, MO, Aaliyah Crump, MN, Sydney Douglas CA, Oliviyah Edwards WA, Alexandra Eschmeyer CO, Kelis Fisher MD, Amayah Garcia TX, Lanie Grant VA, Maddyn Greenway MN, Jayla Jackson MD, Marcayla Johnson OK, Trinity Jones IL, Lola Lampley IN, Keziah Lofton OK, Jordyn Palmer PA, Isabella Ragone GA, Jerzy Robinson AZ, Hailee Swain GA, and McKenna Woliczko, CA.
Some surprises, most not. Fourteen of the final 22 are BlueStar30s.
USA Basketball Womens U16 Team
There’s two more days left before the final team is chosen on Tuesday afternoon. Right after that the selected team will have a camp to prepare for the FIBA U16 Americas tournament in Merida, Mexico, July 13-19.
For those who were not selected – there was heartbreak and also immense learning. First off there were no small point guards taken. There were a lot of bigger guards and big wings selected for the next round.
When you attend these events each person at the Media table composed of real Media types, Evaluators / Influencers, Travel Team Directors and Event Operators – all with a different eye on what the team should be. Being the only person doing this from the start, I try by day two to select those who could make the first cut. This year with the change, I was able to get down to 28 players, then a list of 30 players with a final list of 17 players.
I was able to pick 17 of the 22 players selected between my two very similar lists.
Who could’ve made this cut before the finals in my opinion are: Kamora Pruitt TX, Autumn Fleary MD, Janiyah Williams OK, Ayla McDowell TX, Holland Harris, FL, Rieyan DeSouze TX, Brihanna Crittendon CO, Bree Riley TX, Lauren Hassell TN, Logyn Greer PA, Jenica Lewis IA, Jailya Davis KS, Nora Ezike IL, Amari Byles TX.
What happened for many of the participants, even some who made the cut, was overall poor shooting (Sunday afternoon first 30 minutes was shooting only and I was looking for players to make more than 2 in a row.), playing out of position and with other similar talent (who’s taking the shot or just passing or never seeing the first pass back).
The other quiet condition was the altitude. Many players started to feel the effects of the height of Colorado Spring. The atmosphere requires anyone looking or planning to attend these tryouts to run and workout with an altitude mask for a month before they come here. The other issue is a strong need to stay hydrated at this height while running and playing.
The top four players here Jerzy Robinson, Oliviyah Edwards, Jacy Abii and Trinity Jones are without question will be the core of this team now and next year when they compete for the U17 FIBA Worlds July 13-21 next year in Mexico.
It will be up to those who make the final team, those who made the last cuts and those who just missed to be ready next year for their opportunity again.
