U18 USA Tryouts begin tomorrow

[BrooklynSaints]

Looking forward to hearing the results of tryouts. This was a great feature last year. Any predictions on who will make the team?

[first2no]

Here are my predictions...

1)Nikke Speed - PG
2)Skylar Diggins - PG
3)Ruffin-Pratt - 2G
4)Shekinna Stricklen - 2G
5)April Sykes-2G
6)Jasmine Dixon - SF
7)Joslyn Tinkle - SF
8)Chiney Ogwumike- PF
9)Monique Oliver - PF
10)Kelsey Bone -C
11)Nneka Ogwumike - C
12)Lynetta Kizer -PF

Alternates:
1)Taylor Hill - G
2)Alyssia Brewer - F
3)Amber Gray - F
4)Samantha Prahalis - PG

[bruinbball]

I think Kelly Faris will make the team.

[wise2641]

Several of the players have expressed concerns about the timing of the event. While they consider it an honor to be invited and ultimely chosen for the team, they would also like to attend Summer School for those graduating and the upcoming seniors expressed that they would miss their final summer of playing AAU.

[BrooklynSaints]

Several of the players have expressed concerns about the timing of the event. While they consider it an honor to be invited and ultimely chosen for the team, they would also like to attend Summer School for those graduating and the upcoming seniors expressed that they would miss their final summer of playing AAU.

What would have been a better time ?

I find it hard to believe that any senior graduating high school would prefer to attend summer school rather than try out for USA Basketball.

As far as missing the final summer of AAU. That's the price they pay for being great.

[glenn]

Several of the players have expressed concerns about the timing of the event. While they consider it an honor to be invited and ultimely chosen for the team, they would also like to attend Summer School for those graduating and the upcoming seniors expressed that they would miss their final summer of playing AAU.

I'm just curious how you got this kind of input. "Several" to me means a substantial enough number to make a general characterization. I find this attitude more than a little difficult to believe. After all, isn't it a little off-putting whenever some major star wins an Oscar and seems like they didn't want to bother to attend the ceremonies? Making this team puts a kid on the track to making the Olympic team. Used to be, there was no higher honor in this sport. Has that changed?

[intelligenthoodlum]

Yes, it HAS, sports fan. It's just so much of the wrong kind of gas around these girls' heads, these days...

[glenn]

Someone like Becky Hammon will go through the bureaucratic gymnastics just to get to the Olympics, for Russia, no less, and be willing to accept all the fallout. And some kids won't give up a couple of weeks with their friends for this privilege? I still find that hard to fathom.

[intelligenthoodlum]

The problems with the mentals of these girls isn't the WNBA, the NCAA, USA-B, AAU, Nike, Michael T. White, adidas, Blue Star, or ASGR.
The problems are the adults in these girls' circles...

You're a "nobody", and you don't want to go to a Nike Regional Skills Academy, to prove that you belong in the building?
You're THE somebody, and you don't want to go to a Nike Regional Skills Academy, to prove that the building is YOURS?

You get invited to represent A COUNTRY, and to kick some tails in a NATIONAL BUILDING leading up to the INTERNATIONAL DANCE, and you want to hang out with some friends at the mall and the movieplex instead?

Sportsfans, hit the IH on the BatPhone, if you want to hear about a girl who was already commited to a college, BUT MISSED HER PROM to go to a Nike Regional Skills Academy, to prove that she belonged in the building...

[wise2641]

I'm just curious how you got this kind of input. "Several" to me means a substantial enough number to make a general characterization. I find this attitude more than a little difficult to believe. After all, isn't it a little off-putting whenever some major star wins an Oscar and seems like they didn't want to bother to attend the ceremonies? Making this team puts a kid on the track to making the Olympic team. Used to be, there was no higher honor in this sport. Has that changed?

Glenn,

This came from the girls themselves. I have spoken to 7 of them. A couple really would like to finish their final AAU season with their teams. A couple have stated that they would like to attend summer school to take a couple of classes and get aclimated to their Universities so they will not have to tke a full schedule in the fall as they are adjusting to their academic and basketball schedules. The others stated that they are just tired and would like a break for a while. I don't see why so many find it hard to believe.

There is a lot of pressure on all of these girls, and they are just that girls.

[Pundit2007]

Glenn,

This came from the girls themselves. I have spoken to 7 of them. A couple really would like to finish their final AAU season with their teams. A couple have stated that they would like to attend summer school to take a couple of classes and get aclimated to their Universities so they will not have to tke a full schedule in the fall as they are adjusting to their academic and basketball schedules. The others stated that they are just tired and would like a break for a while. I don't see why so many find it hard to believe.

There is a lot of pressure on all of these girls, and they are just that girls.

Like EDD made a decision not to participate a year ago, any other kid could make a similar decision in respect to their priorities.

[ClayKallam]

I talked to Tayler Hill yesterday about other topics, and she said "A lot of girls don't understand that this is a business and not a social opportunity."


These elite players are all looking at free educations worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and most of them will have a chance to make pretty good money playing professionally overseas for several years. They then, if interested, will be able to move into coaching, and make a career out of basketball instead of dental hygience.

Doors open, and doors close, for everyone, no matter what you do. For athletes, they start opening at a much younger age, and I tell kids their talent is a blessing and a curse -- they have the opportunity to do things others don't, but they will have to make some harder choices along the way than their classmates.

[NC Ballin]

If you think about it, some of them have done everything that was asked of them for the last 5 or 6 years. They now want to just relax and do what they want to do. I don't know of a date that would be better, plus this is world wide. We not know the schedule of the overseas player and situations. EDD is a good example of kids needing time for them, this maybe a trend and we need to think about the pressures we put on these young ladies.

[fhire]

Shenneka Smith watch out for her!! She bring a dimension to the team that no other player on the list bring. She is a true triple threat on offense and is in the passing lane defensively. That type of player helps you win games.

[fhire]

Like EDD made a decision not to participate a year ago, any other kid could make a similar decision in respect to their priorities.

I understand the kids might be tired and want to do something else however, these opportunites are a) Life changing b) Affirms that you are the very best in your field c) Open doors that offer future financial prosperity. If they where adults its no doubt most leap at the possibility. This is an opportunity of a lifetime it just so happens it has come early in their lives. Take advantage ladies opportunities aren't promised.

[arbitraryj]

and make a career out of basketball instead of dental hygience.

Clay, Your point is misspelled and misguided. Are you suggesting these ladies don't have real options outside of basketball? As if we're still in the Dexter Manley era of athlete education.

The reality is that many of these kids are as multi-talented on as they are off the court which makes these decisions even more difficult. The more options you have, the more difficult narrowing the choices becomes. If this is true for adults, its even more so for kids.

Most of these kids have the brains and the grades to dream far beyond the life of a pro-athlete. Many of the kids mentioned on the boards today will be tomorrows doctors, lawyers, CEOs, architects, accountants. Where you may see an potential athlete/coach, I see a future owner/investor.

Considering the (pt) salary of a WNBA player and that most of them MUST play overseas to make a decent wage, there are so many other viable options available to these players.

Besides, if you played 4-5 games each summer weekend and fall ball and summer ball and winter league and then HS ball carrying and often leading your team since the age of 8, you'd get burned out too. It is very age-appropriate for these players to want to spend time with their friends over some bigger opportunities. And the speech about commitment and sacrifice grew old and tired with this set years ago.

I think these players are quite honored –as they should be- to be selected but its also okay to look for a balance in their life.

IH, Missing prom is a choice that not everyone would or should want to make.

Let's respect the choices these ladies make. Besides, with the popularity and talent within GBB, its not as if the spots won’t be filled with capable players.

[BrooklynSaints]

Clay, Your point is misspelled and misguided. Are you suggesting these ladies don't have real options outside of basketball? As if we're still in the Dexter Manley era of athlete education.

The reality is that many of these kids are as multi-talented on as they are off the court which makes these decisions even more difficult. The more options you have, the more difficult narrowing the choices becomes. If this is true for adults, its even more so for kids.

Most of these kids have the brains and the grades to dream far beyond the life of a pro-athlete. Many of the kids mentioned on the boards today will be tomorrows doctors, lawyers, CEOs, architects, accountants. Where you may see an potential athlete/coach, I see a future owner/investor.

Considering the (pt) salary of a WNBA player and that most of them MUST play overseas to make a decent wage, there are so many other viable options available to these players.

Besides, if you played 4-5 games each summer weekend and fall ball and summer ball and winter league and then HS ball carrying and often leading your team since the age of 8, you'd get burned out too. It is very age-appropriate for these players to want to spend time with their friends over some bigger opportunities. And the speech about commitment and sacrifice grew old and tired with this set years ago.

I think these players are quite honored –as they should be- to be selected but its also okay to look for a balance in their life.

IH, Missing prom is a choice that not everyone would or should want to make.

Let's respect the choices these ladies make. Besides, with the popularity and talent within GBB, its not as if the spots won’t be filled with capable players.

Do you feel that today's future owners/investors are thinking about relaxing and hanging out with friends?

Do you think Bill Gates at 17 years old would pass up a chance to meet with IBM so he could hang out at the mall?

The biggest way to become a success is to do things that others don't. Otherwise you just blend into the crowd.

I knew a girl who passed up an event to hang out with a friend. The friend was invited instead and never saying a word went to the event. The friend never thought twice about it. The original girl stayed home alone.

[BrooklynSaints]

Shenneka Smith watch out for her!! She bring a dimension to the team that no other player on the list bring. She is a true triple threat on offense and is in the passing lane defensively. That type of player helps you win games.

How about Samantha Prahalis & Shenise Johnson? Can't wait to hear Clay's report on today's activities.

[hoopslover]

The one thing ALL of us should know in the world of WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, is that woman have a unique mind no matter what age they are. (Us men will never truly understand it). If a woman or young lady are not really feeling something they will not go all out in it. I agree it is a great opportunity, but if they are not totally feeling it they should not go out and take a spot from someone else that is deserving and really wants it. The adults are another problem because we tell these players this is such a GREAT opportunity and they should do it, instead of informing them of the benefits and the downsides, and letting them make the decision on their own (of course with their parents help) and not the SO-CALLED handlers out there, that treat these young woman like race horses. (And you see what humans cause in horse races SEE BELMONT).

[BrooklynSaints]

The one thing ALL of us should know in the world of WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, is that woman have a unique mind no matter what age they are. (Us men will never truly understand it). If a woman or young lady are not really feeling something they will not go all out in it. I agree it is a great opportunity, but if they are not totally feeling it they should not go out and take a spot from someone else that is deserving and really wants it. The adults are another problem because we tell these players this is such a GREAT opportunity and they should do it, instead of informing them of the benefits and the downsides, and letting them make the decision on their own (of course with their parents help) and not the SO-CALLED handlers out there, that treat these young woman like race horses. (And you see what humans cause in horse races SEE BELMONT).

I just don't believe that 16 & 17 year olds can make this decision. It has to be the parents.
I agree the handlers should stay out of it.

Also can we get back to my original post. Hopefully Clay starts a new thread with today's events.

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

What would have been a better time ?

I find it hard to believe that any senior graduating high school would prefer to attend summer school rather than try out for USA Basketball.

As far as missing the final summer of AAU. That's the price they pay for being great.

I don't know if either or both of OU's signees were invited, but they both want to pursue opportunities in medicine. They started summer session on June 2nd. No offense, but for some people their educations are more important than missing any opportunity to get a step ahead in summer school. A full commitment would have meant that both would have entered the fall semester without having completed any college work.

That would mean that either they carried full schedules fall and spring, or else they complete their freshman requirements the summer after freshman year. I don't think it's hard to see that they needed to make the decision that was best for them.

[BrooklynSaints]

I don't know if either or both of OU's signees were invited, but they both want to pursue opportunities in medicine. They started summer session on June 2nd. No offense, but for some people their educations are more important than missing any opportunity to get a step ahead in summer school. A full commitment would have meant that both would have entered the fall semester without having completed any college work.

That would mean that either they carried full schedules fall and spring, or else they complete their freshman requirements the summer after freshman year. I don't think it's hard to see that they needed to make the decision that was best for them.

You make an interesting point but hopefully you will take time to hear my view on this.

The summer session before college is more about getting you in college shape than it is about getting a step ahead in summer school. USA Basketball tryouts is one week in duration. Girls can easily miss a week of school and return and still be fine. This is not unusual it is done all the time.

Most colleges also have two summer sessions so if you were to miss the first there is time to take two classes.

I'm also confused about your thinking about summer school after freshman year. The top schools require summer schools each year. The coaches frown on going home during the summer. If you do go home you have a rigid schedule of workouts that need to be followed. in other words forget about hanging out at the Mall. When you return to school the first thing they do is measure your progress during the summer. College coaches do not like excuses. In short this is a job so the fun times are over.

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

You make an interesting point but hopefully you will take time to hear my view on this.

The summer session before college is more about getting you in college shape than it is about getting a step ahead in summer school. USA Basketball tryouts is one week in duration. Girls can easily miss a week of school and return and still be fine. This is not unusual it is done all the time.

Most colleges also have two summer sessions so if you were to miss the first there is time to take two classes.

I'm also confused about your thinking about summer school after freshman year. The top schools require summer schools each year. The coaches frown on going home during the summer. If you do go home you have a rigid schedule of workouts that need to be followed. in other words forget about hanging out at the Mall. When you return to school the first thing they do is measure your progress during the summer. College coaches do not like excuses. In short this is a job so the fun times are over.

June 9-11 - tryouts
June 12 - roster and alternates announced
July 10-20 - training camp
July 23-27 - FIBA Americas

The first summer session is 20 days long, four weeks. They don't depart Colorado Springs until Thursday, so four days of the second week of school is shot. Missing four days in a 20 day session is hard to make up. The second session is 20 days, four weeks in July. That disappears entirely due to training camp and the tournament.

For people taking serious courses of study, they want to lighten their workload in the spring and fall to make sure that they get the maximum benefit of their classes. And forget about requiring summer school. If you miss it before your freshman year, you'll get to go to graduation as a senior, then return to complete your degree in the summer. And if anything unexpected happens, you're already looking at a fifth year to graduate. That means waiting a full year to begin medical studies.

They don't want to do that. Somebody who wants to go to medical school isn't looking for a long career in the W or overseas. There's nothing weird about players wanting to do this. They aren't going to war or anything, and the concept that players without exception must bow to the dictates of USA Basketball is something I find not reasonable.

Everyone has their own priorities. If they wanted fame and long pro careers, we wouldn't be talking medicine. No one wants to go through internship and residency in their mid-30's if they don't have to.

They might change their minds somewhere along the way. But they are proceeding on the path that they believe prepares them best for their chosen careers.

[BrooklynSaints]

June 9-11 - tryouts
June 12 - roster and alternates announced
July 10-20 - training camp
July 23-27 - FIBA Americas

The first summer session is 20 days long, four weeks. They don't depart Colorado Springs until Thursday, so four days of the second week of school is shot. Missing four days in a 20 day session is hard to make up. The second session is 20 days, four weeks in July. That disappears entirely due to training camp and the tournament.

For people taking serious courses of study, they want to lighten their workload in the spring and fall to make sure that they get the maximum benefit of their classes. And forget about requiring summer school. If you miss it before your freshman year, you'll get to go to graduation as a senior, then return to complete your degree in the summer. And if anything unexpected happens, you're already looking at a fifth year to graduate. That means waiting a full year to begin medical studies.

They don't want to do that. Somebody who wants to go to medical school isn't looking for a long career in the W or overseas. There's nothing weird about players wanting to do this. They aren't going to war or anything, and the concept that players without exception must bow to the dictates of USA Basketball is something I find not reasonable.

Everyone has their own priorities. If they wanted fame and long pro careers, we wouldn't be talking medicine. No one wants to go through internship and residency in their mid-30's if they don't have to.

They might change their minds somewhere along the way. But they are proceeding on the path that they believe prepares them best for their chosen careers.

Not True, The player can leave Wednesday evening after the last workout. They do not have to wait until rosters are announced. The people at USA Basketball will work with any issues you have. I was lucky enough to go to the event two year ago. Several girls arrived late and a few left early. So now we are talking about missing three days of school.

I can't speak for OU but I can tell you that at Stanford this would be no problem. Missing four days of school is not ideal but they would find a way to make it work. Classes today can be taped for you and notes taken. If there is a test they would wait for you to return.

High School students are clueless about the resources available to them. Another reason why they are not the ones who should make the decision.

In college, athletes miss a lot of classes. Games are not just on the weekend. Part of adjusting to college life is learning how to deal with missed classes.

I also disagree with your, one or the other statement. Stanford has several doctors who had successful playing careers. Its all a matter of properly balancing your time.

I know you feel strongly about this issue so i wont continue to go back and forth. Thanks for listening to my point of view.

[arbitraryj]

The biggest way to become a success is to do things that others don't. Otherwise you just blend into the crowd.

y'mean do things like decide basketball may not be your future and make decisions that are in your best interest despite being unpopular with fans and pundits and board jockeys????

Seems like Gates may have missed his meeting with IBM going to USA tryouts the way you see the world.

I also have to say that I find these comments highly condescending that suggest these players are either serious ballers or as friviolous as the Hilton sisters. Don't demean these players that way. Shopping at the mall isn't the only option when they aren't playing ball.

I think YCN said it well. Sometimes basketball is not the career just a path to pay for an education. If the opportunity conflicts with their larger goals, they should turn it down.

And it's not for us to understand just to accept and support.

btw, are they really raising clueless 16/17 yr olds in your area without critical thinking and decision making skills?! Scary.:eek:

[ClayKallam]

There's an old saying, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

In the end, the individual and family have to decide what's best for them because you can't always get what you want ... though, to quote another pair of sages, you get what you need.

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

Not True, The player can leave Wednesday evening after the last workout. They do not have to wait until rosters are announced. The people at USA Basketball will work with any issues you have. I was lucky enough to go to the event two year ago. Several girls arrived late and a few left early. So now we are talking about missing three days of school.

I can't speak for OU but I can tell you that at Stanford this would be no problem. Missing four days of school is not ideal but they would find a way to make it work. Classes today can be taped for you and notes taken. If there is a test they would wait for you to return.

High School students are clueless about the resources available to them. Another reason why they are not the ones who should make the decision.

In college, athletes miss a lot of classes. Games are not just on the weekend. Part of adjusting to college life is learning how to deal with missed classes.

I also disagree with your, one or the other statement. Stanford has several doctors who had successful playing careers. Its all a matter of properly balancing your time.

I know you feel strongly about this issue so i wont continue to go back and forth. Thanks for listening to my point of view.

You are correct in saying that they can leave the day before the team and alternates are announced, but where are you going to fly to well into the evening on Wednesday out of Colorado Springs? It's not like there is a choice of flights there. The fact is, most players in practical reality don't leave before Thursday morning. It's also a reality that some of them will have scheduled flights after the team announcement.

I don't know how Stanford works, I do know that during the basketball season and with prior notice players can receive videotaped lectures, study materials, and even some tests. But we are talking about players who are keen to make an impact with their team and don't want to jeopardize that with a roll of the dice in the Springs. A third make it, and two-thirds don't. Besides, they are brand new students at the school. They can't be expected to know all the nuances of the resources available to them yet.

If their dreams in life ended with USA Basketball and playing pro, preferably in the WNBA, I'm sure they'd have taken the chance. But I think that both of them are grounded enough to have confidence in their own judgements.