Micah Ojo - Bart Young USAB
Olivia Jones and Ivanny Wilson-Manyacka scramble for a loose ball on day two of U16 trials. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – With multiple sessions in the books, players are starting to get over their nerves and mold their games into this talented pool of players vying for a spot on the 12-person roster. With cuts looming the intensity continues to pick up.
Hansen's Take
After the first day we highlighted two point guards, Love Best and Morghan Reckley. And for good reason. If either are selected for the team it wouldn’t be a surprise as both bring a lot to the table. But there’s a growing argument that Olivia Jones of Bayshore, New York, is more than capable of being a lead guard in this environment, be that at the point or off the ball. She’s comfortable in this setting and it’s allowing her to play freely but with purpose. In a game that’s evolving to more and more versatility, OJ’s game is a fit.
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It’s right on time for Tatianna Griffin of Chino, California, to make her move. She’s been one of the elite young kids playing up for years so to see that experience in a positive way against her own peer group is a testament to her work. She’s long been a capable isolation scorer. Her maturity and ability to play strong, fast but under control was impressive. Seeing her be a vocal leader on the floor and show her ability while not dominating the ball is all great news for this 2028 budding star.
Nation Williams of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a physical presence on the floor. While most high school games she’s one of the tallest on the floor, here she’s in the middle of the pack but it’s not stopping her from being a force. She uses her strength well. She’s making good decisions quickly and that’s creating scoring opportunities for her without having to go to counters against set help side. She’s a player that can float between the 3 and 4 depending on who is on the floor. I wouldn’t be afraid to play her at the 5 in small lineups either.
Wilson-Manyacka of Frederick, Maryland, is a bit of unicorn here as she already has experience with the USA Basketball format having been on last summer’s U17 national team. Her veteran status shows in her leadership and calm demeanor on the floor. He talent is well documented as one of the top players in the country so seeing her excel as a leader in this environment is great to see.
More From The Sideline
Chloe Johnson of Hermantown, Minn.
*Photo by Chris HansenChloe Johnson of Hermantown, Minnesota, was one of the players most talked about coming into trials and she’s handling that added pressure well. Her decision-making and size allows her to play in a lot of roles in this setting.
Sydney Mobley of Sunbury, Ohio, is playing with supreme confidence. She has a chance to be sort of a point forward if she’s selected, feeding the versatility reigns argument.
Ella Peper of Newton, Mass., is another kid playing with a high level of confidence. It’s been interesting watching her adjust to the room where she doesn’t need to reach as deep in her bag on each possession. Whether she makes the team or not this format and environment should help her sharpen her game.
Arianna Robinson is one of the most battle-tested 2028’s in the country and the Plano, Texas, native was playing with her signature downhill style. She capitalized attacking open gaps and converted defense to offensive on multiple occasions.
Amel Cook of Los Angeles, Calif., was spectacular in moments in multiple sessions. She can put pressure on the opposition on both ends of the floor and is a player with a lot of upside with a skillset well on its way already.
Keep an eye on Harper Dunn from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 6-4 front court player got a reprieve from all the double and triple teams she’s seen this spring and was playing with a sense of calm, even with the high level of opposition here. There aren’t many bigs in the country her size that can move, pass and finish like she can.
Amy Nduka of Clyde Hill, Washington, got a chance to show her face-up skills at the forward position. With so much length on the floor that part of her game was more available than back to the basket touches here.
Finley Parker of Woodstock, Georgia, is another face-up forward player looking to make a name for herself. With players just learning the offense on the fly it was nice to see her know how to move into open space and be available.
Jayla Lackey of Porltand, Oregon. *Photo by Chris Hansen.Jayla Lackey of Portland, Oregon, is usually one of the tallest players when she steps on the court but not this weekend. What has been impressive so far is that she’s still finding post up opportunities and scoring around the rim despite giving up quite a bit of size.
Micah Ojo of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was explosive and unstoppable in spurts. Continue to keep a close eye on her game as this opportunity to compete against top players at every turn will only increase her production in the months and years to come.
This was my first time seeing Reece Gilpatrick of Broomfield, Colorado. She showed all the signs of a versatile and mobile frontcourt player worthy of the ELITE 25 Watch List in 2028.
Clay’s Take
Class of 2027 point guard Sabrina Anderson of Arlington, Virginia, is a tough matchup with the basketball in her hands. She can keep the floor spaced with her outside shooting. Anderson can also find an open teammate in transition for an advanced pass basket. In that way, she’s one to keep close tabs on going forward in the class.
Class of 2028 wing Jordyn Haywood of Florissant, Missouri, was at her best here making plays off of transition break opportunities. Haywood is smooth on the open floor seemingly gliding to her spots at times. That capability makes it hard for opposing defenses to stop a 1 on 1 situation when Haywood gets a full head of steam en route to the basket.
Class of 2029 Guard Angelyn Almonte (NY) was a new face here in Colorado Springs. Almonte has been on the big stage all spring with an Exodus NYC roster that is amongst the nation’s best. Almonte wasn’t a bit bothered by players as much as three grades her senior. She was looking to make plays off the bounce early and often.
Class of 2029 Wing Geralynn Byers-Veal (TX) has all the physical tools to be one of the next up in a state known for producing high level prospects. Byers-Veal came in ready to make an impact after suiting up with Southwest Select 3SSB this spring. As Byers-Veal keeps progressing her outside shooting, expect even more consistent production as a result.
NOTES
The team selected will play in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup in Irapuato, Mexico from June 16-22.
The team has won gold in 7 of the 8 FIBA AmeriCup qualifying tournaments.
The team took bronze in 2015, the year Canada took Gold. The team lost to Brazil in the semifinals. The tournament was in Pueblo, Mexico that yaer. The team shot an abysmal 25-percent from beyond the arc that tournament, a number that will no doubt be accounted for in this year’s selections.
If the USA qualifies for the its 9th consecutive FIBA U17 World Championships this summer they’ll compete in the Czech Republic in 2026 from July 11-19.
