Colorado Springs – The USA Basketball whatever-age-group team trials comes to, there is always the big cut day. Since this U17 trials has been the longest and most observable for the USAB Youth Committee selectors, there’s been plenty of time to watch players closely as this even featured many tough decisions at positions.
When everyone arrived here last Thursday to start competition it was basically assumed that most, if not all of the 2021 U16 FIBA Americas gold medal roster would remain intact. Two spots opened up when two players did not return (Margaret Mendelson, Grace Slaughter). If you immediately add USAB’s FIBA 3X gold medalist Mikaylah Williams, you’re down to one spot.
After two sessions the first spot, in my opinion was a lock for 6-5 newcomer Blanca Thomas to take Mendelson’s spot – that’s it, 12 slots filled.
Ok – now for the reality check. Bam, 6-5 Blanca Thomas got cut, Then the long, athletic 6-3 Joyce Edwards joined her on the cut list. Two bigs, both with futures, cut before the final cut. So, by the time this is read, the list is out there, Mostly no surprises except for two of them.
The 16-person roster of who’s left: Sunaja Agara, Sienna Betts, Madison Booker, Jaloni Cambridge, Morgan Cheli, Breya Cunningham, Jaydn Donovan, Kendall Dudley, Hannah Hidalgo, Reagan Jackson, Riley Nelson, Mackenly Randolph, Kennedy Umeh, Judea Watkins, Jada Williams and Mikaylah Williams.
In yesterday’s article I mentioned Juju, Mikaylah, Jadyn, Jada along with Blanca and Joyce as strong locks. I got the first four easy. I will come back to Blanca and Joyce later. That makes four slots. If you count the other veterans: Booker and Dudley, that’s six slots done. Breya and Sunaja are checked off as bookend power players with Agara able to move outside. Eight slots done.
Veteran Jolani Cambridge was solid in her PG role and newcomer Hannah Hidalgo claimed the next guard spot over veteran KK Arnold, who was left off without consideration after being injured early in the trails. Milaysia Fruwiley, as talented as anyone here, again missed the cut being more of a up and down threat than a half-court general. Three point guards, ten spots done.
The two lean, tall, big 6-1 wing players Riley Nelson and Morgan Cheli both made shots over the days I watched, and I agreed on them making the cut. I noted this yesterday too. Twelve slots taken.
Who are the other four people? Kennedy Umeh used her determination, power and a very hard playing session to keep herself in contention for a spot alongside Agara and Cunningham. Sienna Betts, who’s more of a lean, long post player in the image of Blanca Thomas, also had a good camp. Because of log-jam at the post position between possibles: Agara, Cummingham, Umeh, Betts and Thomas – the committed cut Thomas. It was close between them both. But I thought both would make the first cut. Edwards, also a long, lean runner maybe looked at as a post, also was cut.
Should Blanca and Joyce made this pre-final team list – yes. Why? Because in the sessions I was allowed to view, both had strong showings as they made it difficult for other similar players of height to finish. Blanca Thomas made strides every session I viewed. Edwards possesses a length and speed down the floor like a wing. These are things that will be needed when it comes time for the U19s in two years. Regardless, someone of talent was not going to make this team.
The last two spot were awarded to 5-9 Reagan Jackson and 6-1 Mackenly Randolph. I was surprised because both played hard and well but missed shots when I watched. And, there were a block of similar players in Marcayla Johnson, Jordan Lee and Tajianna Roberts. I didn’t think a wing was roster necessary as long as you have Juju and Maykala on the floor along with a Dudley, Nelson or Cheli. For me, Randolph was in a pool block with Kennedy Smith, Aubrey Shaw, Taliyah Parker and even veteran Delaney Thomas. With a Booker, Dudley and Agara able to play outside, a smaller power forward in international competition wasn’t critical. I guess they were more active and played harder in the view of the new Selection Committee
It should have come down to a final 18 instead of 16 with shorter team rosters creating better head-to-head defense and offense opportunities to separate needs and abilities. That didn’t happen. But, after watching USA Basketball Youth Team selections since the 1980s and FIBA level competition from the 1990s, looking at what makes a winning team in international competition is why I am here.
Maybe the new Women’s Youth Selection Committee saw something different. I know that in the past I was critical of Committee’s team selections and choices which handed USA Head Coaches rosters that could not win. I was there in Mexico for the 2015 U16s quarterfinals Brazil loss. I witnessed the 2016 quarterfinals loss to Australia in Zaragoza, Spain. I missed the 2017 U19 loss to Russia in Italy. Over the past five years this has not been a problem (and gold medals prove it) as the selections (and Committee) were spot-on as people with a strong knowledge of the talent pool were listened to.
This team, when it finally selected, will represent very well and veteran Head Coach Sue Phillips won’t have any problems because the core of this team is loaded. There are few players in the world with the offensive skill sets of a Juju, Makaylah, Jadyn and leadership of a Jada. The first three can score on anyone. This is a huge talent separator in international FIBA competition. Hello France and Australia.
A lot of players were able to advance their game here. A few people lost their spots due to numerous factors from ok performance to not playing hard enough to not playing at all. Missed shots count. Regardless, as noted before, everyone’s getting a power D1 scholarship and hopefully NIL and some collective money.
Two more days until we find out what this new Women’s Youth Selection Committee really saw.
