2025 USA Women's AmeriCup Team

[jdote33]

Really interesting squad. I look forward to watching and seeing who plays. I do think they will be challenged. Any guesses on starting lineups.

My guess
Cooks
Joyce
Booker
Miles
Hidalgo

 

[Reypl21]

Really interesting squad. I look forward to watching and seeing who plays. I do think they will be challenged. Any guesses on starting lineups.

My guess
Cooks
Joyce
Booker
Miles
Hidalgo

Beers instead of Crooks. And maybe Johnson instead of one of Miles or Hidalgo.

 

[Stagnant]

I didn’t expect stuelke to make the team. Verhulst missing surprises me. And Cambridge may have fallen victim to a crowded point guard group.

 

[CAbballfan2]

Beers instead of Crooks. And maybe Johnson instead of one of Miles or Hidalgo.

I agree.
I would say Beers instead of Crooks too. But I also think the starter in that position may be dependent on the opponent.

Because of Kara’s defensive mindset, I think Hidalgo definitely starts. I think the toss will be between Miles and Johnson.

 

[Ladeeeeda]

Really interesting squad. I look forward to watching and seeing who plays. I do think they will be challenged. Any guesses on starting lineups.

My guess
Cooks
Joyce
Booker
Miles
Hidalgo

Beers
Edwards
Booker
(Whoever plays defense) Leaning towards Flau'jae or Blakes
Hidalgo

 

[Vowelguy]

Hidalgo and Miles together? Not the slightest bit of a tension there?

 

[cancontent]

Hidalgo and Miles together? Not the slightest bit of a tension there?

The stories about tension seem to be overblown in my opinion. And even if there is, they can be professional enough to conduct themselves accordingly. Not to mention I doubt Lawson would tolerate it if that had been a concern.

 

[Stagnant]

I like Kneepkens as a starter. I think you want a sniper/3 point specialist in your starting 5.

Hidalgo
Kneepkens
Johnson
Edwards
Beers

That’s probably the 5 I would roll with.

 

[Vowelguy]

The stories about tension seem to be overblown in my opinion. And even if there is, they can be professional enough to conduct themselves accordingly. Not to mention I doubt Lawson would tolerate it if that had been a concern.

Chemistry matters. How else do you explain NDs late season and tournament flameout?

 

[cancontent]

Chemistry matters. How else do you explain NDs late season and tournament flameout?

Yes it does, but this is a different team altogether with a different coaching staff. Obviously they see it differently than you do regarding what happened at ND. Again, I can't see Lawson or Bird being willing to have them both on the squad if that was a concern.

 

[cancontent]

Starters vs Chile:

Hildago
Blakes
Booker
Edwards
Van Slooten

Don't think anyone expected Van Slooten as a starter. Will be interesting to see if this continues for the tournament.

 

[GamecockFam]

Starters vs Chile:

Hildago
Blakes
Booker
Edwards
Van Slooten

Don't think anyone expected Van Slooten as a starter. Will be interesting to see if this continues for the tournament.

Are you watching the game too? I thought F. Johnson started and Blakes was coming off the bench. I'm watching on my phone so it was hard to tell.

 

[GamecockFam]

I thought USAs best lineup in the first half was Miles, F. Johnson, Kneepkins, Edwards, Crooks

 

[cancontent]

Are you watching the game too? I thought F. Johnson started and Blakes was coming off the bench. I'm watching on my phone so it was hard to tell.

No. Tracking the box score. Typically FIBA lists starters with an asterisk, which is what I based my post on.

 

[GamecockFam]

No. Tracking the box score. Typically FIBA lists starters with an asterisk, which is what I based my post on.

It think you wer right. It was a bit if a boring game. Chile kept it close for the first 8 minutes but USA started to pull away and never looked back.

 

[cancontent]

It think you wer right. It was a bit if a boring game. Chile kept it close for the first 8 minutes but USA started to pull away and never looked back.

Hedged my bets and opted to watch the Mystics-Wings game because I thought it would be a blow out. Will likely take this approach with the US squad until the knock-out round.

Canada had an easy time of it as well, but they're a team I'll definitely watch to see because this team and its philosophy has changed drastically since the Olympics. A lot of new faces with the Senior team for the first time, including Day-Wilson, Gibb (BYU), Russell (Louisville), Wallack (Washington State), and Becker (Utah/Wake Forest). Canada Basketball also parted ways with LaPena, their previous coach and hired Nel Fortner.

At first glance, the offensive flow was a lot better compared to the Paris squad. Fortner had them moving the ball a lot better than her predecessor. Swords and Gibb seemed unaffected by the travel, considering they were late additions due to injuries. The veteran of the squad, Kayla Alexander, was tough in the post which bodes well for the tournament. Kyei and Potter have size, but not the agility which can get them in trouble. Their match up against Brazil is going to be an interesting one.

 

[GamecockFam]

Hedged my bets and opted to watch the Mystics-Wings game because I thought it would be a blow out. Will likely take this approach with the US squad until the knock-out round.

Canada had an easy time of it as well, but they're a team I'll definitely watch to see because this team and its philosophy has changed drastically since the Olympics. A lot of new faces with the Senior team for the first time, including Day-Wilson, Gibb (BYU), Russell (Louisville), Wallack (Washington State), and Becker (Utah/Wake Forest). Canada Basketball also parted ways with LaPena, their previous coach and hired Nel Fortner.

At first glance, the offensive flow was a lot better compared to the Paris squad. Fortner had them moving the ball a lot better than her predecessor. Swords and Gibb seemed unaffected by the travel, considering they were late additions due to injuries. The veteran of the squad, Kayla Alexander, was tough in the post which bodes well for the tournament. Kyei and Potter have size, but not the agility which can get them in trouble. Their match up against Brazil is going to be an interesting one.

I'm not saying this as a Gamecock fan, but Joyce Edwards was the shining star on the USA squad. 19 points in a little under 15 minutes on 7/12 shooting. She is the reason that the USA started to pull away. She was also 1-1 from the 3 point line. After watching this and her performance in the 3x3, I expect her to shoot the 3 a lot more next season. It looks very natural.

Beers scored the most points with 22. There were lots of different lineups and I can tell the coaches were experimenting. I think the best lineup was Miles, Blakes, Kneepkins, Edwards, and Beers. I think that was the squad that started the third quarter.

I had mixed feelings about Hidalgo, F. Johnson and Booker. All three were trying too hard to create their own shot instead of working in the flow of the offense, which usually resulted in a bad midrange shot.

I also found it interesting that Hidalgo and Miles were never on the court at the same time.

 

[CAbballfan2]

I'm not saying this as a Gamecock fan, but Joyce Edwards was the shining star on the USA squad. 19 points in a little under 15 minutes on 7/12 shooting. She is the reason that the USA started to pull away. She was also 1-1 from the 3 point line. After watching this and her performance in the 3x3, I expect her to shoot the 3 a lot more next season. It looks very natural.

Beers scored the most points with 22. There were lots of different lineups and I can tell the coaches were experimenting. I think the best lineup was Miles, Blakes, Kneepkins, Edwards, and Beers. I think that was the squad that started the third quarter.

I had mixed feelings about Hidalgo, F. Johnson and Booker. All three were trying too hard to create their own shot instead of working in the flow of the offense, which usually resulted in a bad midrange shot.

I also found it interesting that Hidalgo and Miles were never on the court at the same time.

I would bet Kara experimented with Hidalgo and Miles on the court together in practices and maybe, just maybe, it didn’t work out lol

She has more than enough talent to not have to play them together.

 

[jdote33]

Kneepkens reminds me of Citron at least in the half court. I think the big difference between them is defensively, and also I think Citron is a tad quicker. But it was fun watching Kneepkens play. I was being a bit of a hater to myself and saying I can't believe UCLA is adding her.
I thought Edwards played well. She's kinda just different. She always stands out in international play.
But the person I thought looked really good is Reagan Beers. It's cool, that she gets to play on a team like this heading into her senior year. She hit a three but she also took a fadeaway shot that looked pretty smooth but missed. I just thought she moved real well and those r the types of things she's going to have to do to have a shot at the w. She's a bit undersized and not a leaper but nevertheless I'm pulling for her.
Miles was miles. Hannah was Hannah. I thought she overdribbled and forced some shots but she did a lot of good things as well.

 

[YoDore]

 

[Ladeeeeda]

While off the court........

 

[Geew1992]

The stories about tension seem to be overblown in my opinion. And even if there is, they can be professional enough to conduct themselves accordingly. Not to mention I doubt Lawson would tolerate it if that had been a concern.

Nope. Def not overblown. But.. I agree. Lawson won’t let anything happen

 

[cancontent]

A different starting five last night:

Miles
Kneepens
Smith
Edwards
Beers

So far the main constant has been Edwards while Coach Lawson tinkers around to see what works. The playing time has been interesting as well. Crooks seems to be getting the least out of everyone. Looking forward to seeing the next boxscore to see if anything changes.

 

[Bjbod]

I'm not saying this as a Gamecock fan, but Joyce Edwards was the shining star on the USA squad. 19 points in a little under 15 minutes on 7/12 shooting. She is the reason that the USA started to pull away. She was also 1-1 from the 3 point line. After watching this and her performance in the 3x3, I expect her to shoot the 3 a lot more next season. It looks very natural.

Beers scored the most points with 22. There were lots of different lineups and I can tell the coaches were experimenting. I think the best lineup was Miles, Blakes, Kneepkins, Edwards, and Beers. I think that was the squad that started the third quarter.

I had mixed feelings about Hidalgo, F. Johnson and Booker. All three were trying too hard to create their own shot instead of working in the flow of the offense, which usually resulted in a bad midrange shot.

I also found it interesting that Hidalgo and Miles were never on the court at the same time.

Watched 1st half of Colombia game and was disappointed in the team aspect on the offensive end. Seemed like a lot of shots put up by the 1st person to touch the ball past half court.

 

[JellyBean]

While off the court........

AC pretty talented.

 

[GamecockFam]

Watched 1st half of Colombia game and was disappointed in the team aspect on the offensive end. Seemed like a lot of shots put up by the 1st person to touch the ball past half court.

I felt the same. It wasn't a good team effort. It was all fast breaks and hero ball.

 

[cancontent]

Brazil vs. Canada was the match up I thought it was going to be today. Canada led most of the game, but went cold in the fourth and Brazil won 74.-65.

What I found interesting was how Canada played Brazil's bigs in Dantas and Cardoso. My fear about Canada's lack of depth at the forward/centre position looks to be valid. While Kayla Alexander held her own against them, she's getting up there in age and 37 minutes is not ideal. Kyei and Potter were used sparingly.

Guard play has been decent, with Day-Wilson and Colley the starters. Day-Wilson is playing well, but her shooting remains streaky. Swords has played well and Delaney Gibb has impressed me in how she's handling this level of competition.

Brazil vs Canada - Group Phase - FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Brazil vs Canada - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

 

[cancontent]

And the only constant remains to be Edwards. Tonight's line up per the boxscore:

Hildago
Blakes
Booker
Smith
Edwards

Did a double take seeing Brionna Jones listed as a starter and on Puerto Ric's roster. She played yesterday against New York. Possibly a late arrival for the tournament????

edit Need to pay closer attention to the spelling. It's Brianna Jones, not Brionna

 

[JellyBean]

Brazil vs. Canada was the match up I thought it was going to be today. Canada led most of the game, but went cold in the fourth and Brazil won 74.-65.

What I found interesting was how Canada played Brazil's bigs in Dantas and Cardoso. My fear about Canada's lack of depth at the forward/centre position looks to be valid. While Kyla Alexander held her own against them, she's getting up there in age and 37 minutes is not ideal. Kyei and Potter were used sparingly.

Guard play has been decent, with Day-Wilson and Colley the starters. Day-Wilson is playing well, but her shooting remains streaky. Swords has played well and Delaney Gibb has impressed me in how she's handling this level of competition.

Brazil vs Canada - Group Phase - FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Brazil vs Canada - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

I caught the highlights. Looking forward to seeing Swords shine more out there.

 

[cancontent]

I caught the highlights. Looking forward to seeing Swords shine more out there.

Time will tell during the tournament. Currently majority of the minutes at guard are going to Shay Colley (Michigan State), Sami Hill (Virginia Tech) and Day-Wilson (we all know the list ). They're getting at least 25 minutes a game. The rest of minutes are being split between Swords, Russell, Gibb and Wallack.

Personally, I don't know why Day-Wilson is getting the amount of minutes she's getting, however she's making the most of it. Gives me flashbacks of her play during U19 in 2021. Scored a lot, but most of the points seemed to come from foul shots.

Not to mention, this is a different coaching staff compared to the one when Swords started to train with the Senior Women's team. Fortner knows what Day-Wilson can do from her time coaching against her in the ACC. Maybe there's a level of familiarity at play here.