USA U18 Trials Predictions
Preview and Predictions for USA U18 Trials
May 13, 2024 | USA U18 Trials
The U18 USA Trials will be held in Colorado Springs, CO from May 16-18 to choose the 12-member team that will compete in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup in Bucaramanga, Columbia June 17-23.
12 players in the class of 2024 and 14 players in the class of 2025 make up the 26 player field from which the team will be chosen.
The Head Coach of the team will be Teri Moren (Indiana University Head Coach) and her two assistants will be Jose Fernandez (University of South Florida Head Coach) and Niele Ivey (Notre Dame University Head Coach).
Court coaches during the trials will be Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt University Head Coach) and Charmin Smith (University of California Head Coach).
Who will make this team?
The committees have the task of putting together a TEAM in a very short period of time - not just a collection of the best individual talents at each position. They have to build two cohesive units with depth and the versatility to match up with the varying styles of different international teams. They also have to factor in who needs USA Basketball experience from a projection standpoint in the future - something very important for success at the higher level events (World Cups, Olympics, etc). The AmeriCup games typically do not provide much of a challenge for the USA teams outside of Canada and occasionally, Brazil.
Projected Team
Guards
Kayleigh Heckel*
Alivia McGill
Divine Bourrage
Jordan Lee*
Jazzy Davidson*
Wings
Kennedy Smith*
Nyla Brooks
Forwards
Joyce Edwards*
Sarah Strong*
Grace Knox
Posts
Arianna Roberson
Sienna Betts*
* = Projected locks to make the roster
What questions does this pool of players need to answer and where are the holes? What are the opportunities?
Backup PG?
Who is willing to be a solid second unit manager? Who will defend and distribute and accept that role on a team with all of this talent?
Versatile Wing/Small Forward?
Who of Nyla Brooks | Zakiyah Johnson | Aubrey Shaw | Leah Macy | Brynn McGaughy | Kaelyn Carroll can prove they can be effective on the perimeter offensively (shooting/handling/decision making) but also rebound and guard multiple positions defensively?
Will anyone outwork Grace Knox?
She has proven this HS season and into the early club season to be a forward who will bring major energy to the floor effort-wise. This should separate her from the pack early in this setting and earn her a spot on the team.
Who stands out amongst the bigs?
Bigs at the international level have to be able to do more than just clog the lane. They have to be able to guard different ball screens from different angles, possibly roam the paint in different zone defenses, and also be comfortable in rotations that involve perimeter actions. Offensively, they have to be willing screeners and hungry for offensive rebounds. Typically, in short prep settings like this, the USA teams will have presses ready to generate offense if needed. Who can do all of those things for this squad - the odds are it is Arianna Roberson.
Who are the X-Factor types going into trials?
Aubrey Shaw | Leah Macy | Kaelyn Carroll | Brynn McGaughy
All of these players can shoot the ball and facilitate, but can at times be viewed as “tweeners” on the floor - and that’s not a negative - it’s a positive thing. They all have the opportunity to show they can be versatile - particularly defensively (showing they can guard both on the perimeter, but be physical inside defensively as well) and bring value that way. That will be the separator for whomever may make the team from this group. It is also a great experience for them in their development as they prepare for the next level.
What is needed most from this group?
Perimeter Shooting Consistency | 2nd Unit Game Manager | Versatile Wing/Forward
The pool has point guard depth. The guards are strong - size and skill. Any team with Joyce Edwards and Sarah Strong at the forwards is in good shape. The pool of posts is pretty deep and solidly skilled and physical.
Let’s see how the trials go on the floor and who makes the team!!
