USA National Team... The future.

[meyers7]

Really?

Yep, really. It was explained in the key at the bottom. Besides "strong defensive/shooting abilities" really doesn't describe Whalen.

 

[asuwish]

I'm sure others have been thinking about the fact that our National Team is getting older, and what that means for the future.

So I thought I would take a peek, first by listing the current 12 by age, approximately:

Catchings
Bird/Cash/Jones
DT
Whelan
Augustus
Fowles
Parker
Charles
Angel
Moore

(not sure that is 100% correct, but it's close enough for now)

Pretty sure this is the last go around for Catch, but between Maya and Angel, I think we are covered here. Same for Cash and Jones, and there are players like Nneka, Chiney and Allysa Thomas who should be ready to contribute very soon, to replace them and also backfill for Maya/Angel as one of them moves into the starting lineup.

What about guards? Sue, DT and Whelan have to be replaced eventually, maybe very soon in Sue's case. Diggins, Hartley and Sims certainly appear to have the skills to be their replacements, although I wonder if USA basketball will ever be able to replace Bird, DT and even Whelan, who has emerged as a really terrific guard. What about Vandersloot? I hope she continues to be under consideration.

Eventually, Fowles will be replaced, but clearly Griner will be expected to do that, and also join the post rotation very soon. Does Tina have to move to a forward spot to make room for Griner as one of the centers?

Augustus and Parker will have to be replaced. Does EDD come into the picture here? Breanna Stewart?

Just going through this exercise is a little reassuring that USA should be able to remain dominant.

Our 2020 National Team might look something like this:

Centers: Griner, Charles

Forwards: Moore, Nneka, Chiney, Thomas, Stewart, EDD/Angel

Guards: Diggins, Hartley, Sims, Vandersloot.

Not bad at all, IMO.

in 2020 I think Vandersloot has Sue Bird quality's with Sims Hartly Diggins, and even Jefferson in the mix. Williams (Duke) and Russell 6'7" should be in the mix at the post with Griner starting. Big Syl should be at her last games or done in 8 years. We have many combo players, but I can't think of many pure 2 guards. If we have EDD, Maya, & KML so I would not be worried about 3 point shooting
Moore and Angel (baring injuries) should lock down spots. KML should be right there at forward with her range and instincts. EDD & Stewart & Nneka should all be there because of there unique talents. Keep an eye on Gray from Duke, and Tuck who I think has some A. Jones and very good range for a 4 to sneak into the mix as well.

 

[dtbtbtb]

I think the 2020 team will be :
Guards: Bria, MoJeff, KML, DT (she'll play till she is 40 and even than will be one of the best in the world)
Wings: B. Stew, Maya, NO (to keep Stanford fans happy), EDD (to keep all of the EDD fans happy)
Posts: Charles, Griner (to keep Baylor fans happy), E. Williams (to keep Duke fans happy), Parker (to keep TN fans happy)

 

[semper]

Sometimes I wish we could put threads like this in a time capsule and then retrieve them in 8 (or whatever) years. Would be interesting!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think the 2020 team will be :
Guards: Bria, MoJeff, KML, DT (she'll play till she is 40 and even than will be one of the best in the world)
Wings: B. Stew, Maya, NO (to keep Stanford fans happy), EDD (to keep all of the EDD fans happy)
Posts: Charles, Griner (to keep Baylor fans happy), E. Williams (to keep Duke fans happy), Parker (to keep TN fans happy)

Ok, it's settled; time to move on to 2024.

Wait--what about Morgan and Brianna Turner?

 

[triaddukefan]

When naming PG's for the future.... I dont see alot of love for Chelsea Gray..... she might not be the pure scorer that Diggins or Hartley are... or the defensive player that Sims is.... but she's as good a PG as any currently in college... and at 5'11 and a solid build.... top notch court vision and superb passing skills.... I think she will be a very good pro player.

 

[doggydaddy]

When naming PG's for the future.... I dont see alot of love for Chelsea Gray..... she might not be the pure scorer that Diggins or Hartley are... or the defensive player that Sims is.... but she's as good a PG as any currently in college... and at 5'11 and a solid build.... top notch court vision and superb passing skills.... I think she will be a very good pro player.

She could be a very good pro player, but this was about Olympic players. Not sure she will be THAT good. Time will tell.

 

[semper]

I still have hopes for Monty!

 

[triaddukefan]

She could be a very good pro player, but this was about Olympic players. Not sure she will be THAT good. Time will tell.

But Diggins, Hartley, Sims, and Jefferson will be THAT good ??

 

[doggydaddy]

But Diggins, Hartley, Sims, and Jefferson will be THAT good ??

Now, did I say that? Your post was just the one I replied to.

 

[UcMiami]

I think guard - SG and PG are the toughest battles for National Team honors. As you get over 6' for women the available pool of people thins out, and with that the available number of athletes who pursue basketball as a career. 6' and under players with ball handling and perimeter skills are numerous and there are few who distance themselves from the pack quite the way both SB and DT have. I love Whalen and think she is a great addition to the team, but no one would have been surprised if Cappie or Lawson or Vandersloot had been named instead of her. When DT and Sue hang them up, it will be interesting to see if anyone can distance themselves from their peers in a similar way at the guard spots.
At the other end - taken to an extreme - BG at 6'8" is one of maybe three worldwide. BG at 6'4" would not be unique, but at 6'8" she is. Candace was unique coming out of HS and through college, but I think there are more players developing in her mold. Big Syl and Tina are great and may stick for a long time, but they will be fighting off a few others who have similar height and skills every two years.
In the middle at foward/wing, the competition is fierce, but realistically there are maybe 10-12 players who are in the national team conversation each 2 years. While a player like NO is a great player and a great athlete she is competing with a number of other players at similar height and at least similar skills.
Coming up:
As mentioned BG at 6'8" is unique
EDD at 6'5" with SG/Wing skills is unique
In a few years BS may also present that 'uniqueness' but lets give her a little bit of college before anointing her.