Clark Among 14 Invited to April U.S.A. Training Camp

[Dillon77]

According to a piece in the Athletic (attached for those with subscriptions), here are the invitees:

Team USA training camp roster​

• Shakira Austin
• Ariel Atkins
• Aliyah Boston
• Caitlin Clark
• Chelsea Gray
• Brittney Griner
• Rhyne Howard
• Sabrina Ionescu
• Jewell Loyd
• Kelsey Plum
• Breanna Stewart
• Diana Taurasi
• A’ja Wilson
• Jackie Young

Caitlin Clark makes U.S. women's basketball training camp roster

Clark, 22, is the only current collegiate player listed on the 14-team roster and with good reason.

theathletic.com

 

[WBBTakeover]

Two names that aren't on this list that I would expect to see in Paris: Phee and AT. This means that there should be at least four cuts coming from that list of 14.

Two others who could be in the mix: Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones

 

[Dillon77]

Two names that aren't on this list that I would expect to see in Paris: Phee and AT. This means that there should be at least four cuts coming from that list of 14.

Two others who could be in the mix: Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones

Could the U.S.A. Committee take one or two of the "cuts" and place them on the 3x3 team (need 4 for that)?
Or, are they keeping that totally separate? (I bring up because Gray, Young and Plum were all on the Gold Medal team last time around. Could an Ionescu, for instance, be a 3-bee candidate if not on the 5x5 team?

 

[WBBTakeover]

Could the U.S.A. Committee take one or two of the "cuts" and place them on the 3x3 team (need 4 for that)?
Or, are they keeping that totally separate? (I bring up because Gray, Young and Plum were all on the Gold Medal team last time around. Could an Ionescu, for instance, be a 3-bee candidate if not on the 5x5 team?

I believe they're separate, but 3x3 can get some of those girls to participate in 3x3 tournaments to accumulate more points for roster consideration.

I hear ya re Ionescu and 3x3, but while she's not my fave, I can acknowledge that she's outperformed one very prominent name on that 14-player list in just about every setting that the two of them have been in together since October 2023.

 

[undersized]

Kahleah Copper will also be in the mix but is overseas during this camp.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

According to a piece in the Athletic (attached for those with subscriptions), here are the invitees:

Team USA training camp roster​

• Shakira Austin
• Ariel Atkins
• Aliyah Boston
• Caitlin Clark
• Chelsea Gray
• Brittney Griner
• Rhyne Howard
• Sabrina Ionescu
• Jewell Loyd
• Kelsey Plum
• Breanna Stewart
• Diana Taurasi
• A’ja Wilson
• Jackie Young

Caitlin Clark makes U.S. women's basketball training camp roster

Clark, 22, is the only current collegiate player listed on the 14-team roster and with good reason.

theathletic.com

Interested in the plan if Clark is playing in the final four that weekend.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Kahleah Copper will also be in the mix but is overseas during this camp.

I knew I was forgetting someone! Kah's pretty close to being a lock herself. So that's five potential cuts that would need to be made from the initial list of 14.

 

[Reypl21]

Jackie Young has been one of the best guards in the W the past couple of seasons. Especially now that she added a 3 point shot. Plus she's a really solid defender. I hope she can finally secure a spot, but it will be tough.

 

[undersized]

Interested in the plan if Clark is playing in the final four that weekend.

Should Iowa advance that far CC won't go to the camp.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I still don’t understand Atkins being in this mix. I just don’t see what coaches see in her. And that is why I’m not a coach i guess.

 

[Kaizen]

I would like to see Napheesa Collier and Moriah Jefferson in the list ..

 

[diggerfoot]

If you were to go by the comments of the two previous coaches Auriemma (admittedly biased) and Staley (objective in this particular matter), there would be a different college player invited.

 

[12au]

I still don’t understand Atkins being in this mix. I just don’t see what coaches see in her. And that is why I’m not a coach i guess.

Kinda disagree. A lot of the roster is offense first. Someone has to do the dirty work.

 

[JstVisiting]

If you were to go by the comments of the two previous coaches Auriemma (admittedly biased) and Staley (objective in this particular matter), there would be a different college player invited.

I'm not even sure she's ready to be a star from Day 1 in the WNBA, let alone play for the national team. Not going to get many Big Ten refs at the next level.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Kinda disagree. A lot of the roster is offense first. Someone has to do the dirty work.

A'ja, Stewie, Jewell, Jackie, Aliyah, and BG are all well-known two-way players. Shakira is a defensive-minded player. You also have Phee, AT, and Kah--all two-way talents. I agree with those who are puzzled by Ariel's continued inclusion.

 

[willtalk]

A'ja, Stewie, Jewell, Jackie, Aliyah, and BG are all well-known two-way players. Shakira is a defensive-minded player. You also have Phee, AT, and Kah--all two-way talents. I agree with those who are puzzled by Ariel's continued inclusion.

I believe in the past the US team included certain starting guards that were defensive liabilities. They often needed Atkins on the floor to compensate for them. The level of defense shown in the teams Worlds revealed that that was not the case anymore. That team showed that you could put a really good offensive team on the floor without sacrificing defense.

I still cannot understand why fans do not give Chelsea Gray the credit for playing very good defense that she deserves. I remember before the last Olympic games fans had her as a defensive liability along with Bird, DT and S.Diggens. She has an elite spatial awareness ( good defensive positioning ) very quick feet, very quick hands and that along with length are the necessary defensive tools needed. She also excells in playing off the ball help defense.

I suspect she is underrated because most fans adher to stereotypes and she does not fit tha image. Due to her size the percieve her as slow. They should watch her in the skills compettions where the keep track of time.

 

[Dillon77]

I still don’t understand Atkins being in this mix. I just don’t see what coaches see in her. And that is why I’m not a coach i guess.

Agree. When she was first selected, her floor was pretty high and -- with all due respect -- was playing with some pretty darn good players alongside her (hello, EDD). However, have not seen that many steps toward the ceiling in a few years and I'm not sure her current level is U.S.A. Team-level.

Plus, as noted, there are a number of very good two-way players on that list and others who might get calls, from Copper and Loyd to Young and Gray. We'll see....