USA Basketball U16 Trials: A hard team to make!
U16 USA Basketball Trials at the Olympic Training Center. Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball.
Trials were May 22-25th in Colorado Springs.
June 2, 2025
During the period of May 22-25, the 2025 USA Women’s Basketball U16 National Team trials took place in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center conducted by USA Basketball. A total of fifty-two players began session 1 on Thursday, May 22, with the team of twelve named Sunday evening after session seven (second of two on Sunday). After practicing prior to the event, the selected team will journey to Irapuato, Mexico, for the 2025 FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup set for June 16-22. Besides winning the event, the goal is to quality for FIBA U17 2026 Women's World Cup next summer in Brno in the Czech Republic.
Did you know?
At U16’s, I learned that the staff that runs USA Basketball women’s competition 3X3 is different than the staff in charge of 5on5 competition. Hopefully, they share information. Finding all the best players the best candidates for U16’s is difficult!
Having first started in 2009; the USA has won seven out of eight FIBA Americas U16 championships including the last four.
Good young players get missed, but the talent pool is so deep it rarely matters
Too many high school and club coaches do not seem to know how (or are not interested) to register their players for U16 trials. Not all the best age-eligible players are identified nationally before their last year of U16 eligibility. USA Basketball is strict about enforcing its rules for tryout registration deadlines. Right or wrong [my opinion is that for a late discovered star there should be no deadline as winning is the objective], there are almost no exceptions. Finally, club and high school coaches please note that players must be born on or after January 1, 2011, to qualify for the next U16’s in 2027.
Media
Media members were allowed to watch session 2 on Thursday, session 3 (first of two) on Friday, session 5 (only session on Saturday after which the cut from 52 to 22 was made) and session 7 Sunday afternoon (with the cut from 22 to the final 12). At none of the open sessions were there more than a dozen media present.
Originally, when media access was announced, it was only for sessions 2, 3 and 7. This resulted with at least a few deciding not to come. Fortunately, USA Basketball agreed to allowing in media with no player access for the critical Saturday am session thanks to discussions between ESPNW Director of Recruiting Analysis Shane Laflin and USA Basketball personnel. That appeared to work well and was much appreciated by those still in attendance.
Going forward, I would like to see more sessions open to the media for viewing with only a portion of them with player access available. While at the event, I felt the staff of USA Basketball appreciated the presence of those on media row. I did not witness one incident of media presence interfering with the running of trials. And speaking for media and parents present, there was greater rotation of players from far to near court than I remember two years ago. That gives both groups the chance to see all players in action up close more often plus keeps the players on their toes a bit more!
The media table at U16 USA Basketball Trials. (L-R) Kenneth Pannell, Shane Laflin, Jason Key, and (author) Bob Corwin.
Trial composition
All players had to be born on or after January 1, 2009. By graduation class, of the 52 starting trials, there was 1 from 2026, 18 from 2027, 26 from 2028 and 7 from 2029. For the team selected, there was 1 from 2026, 6 from 2027 and 5 from 2028.
No players from the 2029 class even made it to the final 22. All are obviously talented and if age eligible, should try again in 2027 for the next U16 trials.
In talking to those who regularly attend the younger (U16 and U17) age group trials, there was more depth than usual as to quality interiors players present, the usual depth in quality middle position athletes and a relative shortage of point guard particularly with height. This had them look at multiple combo guards to play point guard on the team, settling for just one true point in Morghan Reckley (discussed below) and a couple of combo guards, perhaps more likely to play shooting guard in college.
Finding the right fit is not easy!
Selecting a team like this is not an easy job. For the most part, the committee comes in with relatively minimal knowledge of most of the players. A player with more “rep” might get past a first cut, but on balance what is or is not shown in trials is the deciding factor.
There were multiple options amongst the 10 not selected from the pool of 22 (most of whom would start for all the other 16U teams of the various nations). One might argue to have taken a non-selected player here or there. However all said and done, the team selected is extremely creditable. Thus, kudos to the selection committee!
Going forward…
To those players selected, let this be another chapter of a strong high school and college career. It is a great honor to represent your country! To those who came up short at U16 trials, let it be motivation to get better!
USA 2025 U16 Team
(personal data information as provided by USA Basketball)
Jazman Bailey, G, 5-9, 16, 2027, Mansfield Lakeridge High School, Mansfield, TX
Perhaps more combo guard than true point, Bailey impressed as a good athlete. She can attack going left or right, passes well and is an above average on-ball defender.
Caroline Bradley, C, 6-5, 16, 2027, Oak Grove High School, Oak Grove, LA
Bradley is considered to be one of the best centers in the 2027 class. She finishes well on both sides of the rim. While scoring mostly at the low post, her range is improving to beyond the key.
Caroline Bradley (82) attempts to finish in the paint. Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball.
Reece Gilpatrick, F, 6-4, 15, 2028, Broomfield High School, Broomfield, CO
Word out of Colorado was thar Gilpatrick may be the best of the 2028 class in the state. She showed good mobility for her size. While scoring was primarily in the lower paint, her stroke is solid and range should expand over time. Perhaps the “find” of the event to multiple national media!
Tatianna Griffin, G, 5-11, 15, 2028, Ontario Christian High School, Chino, CA
Griffin was amazing repeatedly making difficult shots of various kinds. She looked worthy of having been named MaxPreps Freshman of the Year. Along with Wilson Manyacka, one of two best in camp.
Jordyn Haywood, G/F, 6-1, 15, 2028, Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day, Florissant, MO
Haywood seemed to stand out increasingly as the trials progressed. Having superior size and athleticism, she was agile in attacking the rim and showed fine stroke particularly at mid-range.
Olivia Jones, G, 5-11, 16, 2026, Long Island Lutheran High School, Bay Shore, NY
Jones had an edge coming in - that she was the only player with three years of high school experience. With good basketball IQ, height and above average athleticism, she can play the point or shooting guard.
Eve Long, F, 6-3, 16, 2027, Olathe South High School, Olathe, KS
Considered the best player in Kansas, Long has above average basketball IQ and athleticism. Her ability to find the rim on either side of the basket can make a layup into a work of art.
Micah Ojo, F, 6-0, 15, 2027, Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA
Ojo plays all over the court with a great motor! As I have said in a recent article “Ojo is everywhere!”
Morghan Reckley, G, 5-7, 15, 2028, Sandy Creek High School, Fayetteville, GA
Reckley was probably the best pure point guard at trials. Other than being a bit small by USA Basketball point guard standards, the athletic Reckley has all the skills of handles, perimeter stroke, passing and penetration. Forced to do a lot in high school, she can at times be a bit too ball-dominant by USA Basketball standards. While possibly the starting point guard on this U16 team, the coaching staff can switch gears with Jazman Bailey and Olivia Jones as needed.
2028 Arianna Robinson. Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball.
Arianna Robinson, G, 5-10, 14 2028, Plano East High School, Plano, TX
Highly athletic, Robinson showed well late in trials with repeated strong attacks of the basket thus edging out several other quality athletic wings.
Nation Williams, G/F, 6-3, 15, 2027, Centennial High School, Las Vegas, NV
A lefty who can attack going right, Williams was a consistent standout throughout the trial. She plays with high energy and is a “glass eater.”
Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, G/F, 6-2, 15, 2027, Bullis School, Frederick, MD
A standout carryover from last year’s 17U team, Wilson Manyacka was the top performing 2027 at trials. Known more for attacking the rim and rebounding, her outside shot must be respected.
Review of the remaining 10 of the final 22:
Celsy Colombo, F, 6-3, 15, 2027, Pioneer Senior High School, Arcade, NY
A mobile but not flashy athlete, Columbo showed versatility in attacking the basket with a variety of moves. Her three-point shot appeared good enough to need respect.
2028 Amel Cook. Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball.
Amel Cook, G/F, 6-0, 15, 2028, Windward School, Los Angeles, CA
A tall athletic wing who can defend well, she can attack the rim and range is improving to beyond the arc. Cook was another quality athlete who could easily have been picked and is one reason why Windward may be a factor this fall in California CIF Southern Section’s top tier of teams.
Harper Dunn, F, 6-6, 16, 2027, Corona High School, Albuquerque, NM
Having last seen Dunn almost a year ago, she is now more willing to mix it up in the paint. Overall, her game appears to be headed in the right direction, perhaps needing to finish more consistently. Given the post competition, a good showing!
Kayla Eberz, G/F, 5-11, 15, 2028, Archbishop John Carroll High School, Havertown, PA
Eberz comes from one of the best system high school teams in the USA. She rarely takes bad shots and showed well hitting open shots to beyond the arc.
Jhaliana Guy, G, 5-10, 15, 2028, Clinton High School, Clinton, IA
Known more as a shooter back in Iowa, Guy played a lot of point guard at trials. She was very steady just losing out to better skilled athletes.
Maliya Hunter, F, 6-2, 15, 2028, Archbishop Mitty High School, Stanford, CA
Hunter appears to be trying to play more on the perimeter than when seen in high school. Her shots seemed to go in more often earlier in trials. Overall, she is making progress with a good chance to be another in Archbishop Mitty’s long line of quality players.
Chloe Johnson drives left from the top of the key during U16 USA Basketball Trials. Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball.
Chloe Johnson, G, 6-0, 15, 2028, Duluth Marshall High School, Hermantown, MN
Johnson is a major factor for the Iowa Attack 17U of the NIKE EYBL (one of the top club teams on any circuit). Playing two years up, she helps make her teammates better. While at trials, she looked fine in drills. However, playing point guard much of the time in live game situations, this setting made it difficult for her to play to that similar nature. Had she made a few bigger plays, perhaps that would have given her an edge to stand out sufficiently.
Ashley MacCalla, G/F, 5-11, 16, 2027, Middletown High School, Middletown, NY
MacCalla is an athlete who plays with high energy. She looks to attack, but her range must be respected. She is another of the quality middle position athletes that could have made the team.
Madeline Mignery, F, 6-0, 15, 2027, Cardinal Mooney High School, Lakewood Ranch, FL
Having known this player for several years, I can attest that her game is really growing, now capable of more perimeter play than a year ago. She had a good showing, hitting various kinds of shots but was beaten out by superior athletes at the small forward position.
Ella Peper, G/F, 6-4, 15, 2028, Dexter Southfield High School, Newton, MA
Peper is filling out her tall frame and in time should be one of the top recruits in the 2028 class. She has a very smooth stroke and in spite of height is not a low post player (which may be why she did not make this team as they were looking for one).
Two other players who showed well but did not make the first cut:
Love Best, G, 5-6, 15, 2028, Tualatin High School, Oregon City, OR
Best made a splash last season by leading her high school team to an upset 6A Oregon title over favored Clackamas coming back from a double-digit deficit. At trials, she was a well skilled, crafty ball handler who ran a team well. Her lack of height (much below list) and ability to stand up physically to several of the bigger guards got her sent home at the first cut. Sadly, height and build often can outweigh skills in this sport!
Janiyah Hargrave, G, 5-10, 15, 2028, Kettering Fairmont High School, Kettering, OH
Considered one of the top players in Ohio’s 2028 class, she is a superior athlete with powerful penetrating ability. Hargrave could easily have made the team but was unable to make any cuts. The suspicion amongst puzzled media was that several of the other middle position quality athletes stood out more to the selection committee than they did to the media.