OT: USWNT - Who's next?

[BBallF]

I genuinely believe that Paige and/or Ionescu will be ready by 2024

I hope so. Of the two, I prefer Paige.

 

[asuwish]

It was hard to refrain from posting some of these thoughts and questions until after the gold medal game, however I thought it best. I'm not an expert on international play, however I understand that after the core of the Olympic team is configured, the bench players are there for specific roles, however, IMHO, there were some that didn't pass my eye test. I'm not looking to relitigate who didn't make the team this year, however I'd love some discussion and debate on who's next.

The big question - who replaces Sue and Diana in the backcourt? Gray was impressive, handled pressure fairly well, and shot the ball well. Lloyd and SDS didn't seem to handle pressure well, and although I get being on the big stage with so much pressure, will they be able to develop that presence? Will more int'l experience give them what they need?

So who's next? Will Paige be seasoned enough in three years? What other guards in the WNBA should be considered for the pool?

For post players, I was incredibly impressed with Griner and Wilson. They are probably the core of post players for the future. Stewie is the "swiss army knife", and can fill the need either inside or outside. Pheesa is young, so a few years of int'l experience could help her develop. No opinion good/bad on Atkins, as I didn't see enough of her play.

Why isn't Courtney Vandersloot not in the conversation? I think Smith at Baylor gets a look up front after a few years in the W. Della Donne will be 34 for Paris, very young compared to DT or Sue. If healthy and if she wants to, she has experience and a unique skill set that nobody her size, outside Stewie, has. She should be considered. Expect Sabrina, Clark, Paige, and maybe even Fudd to get looks at though it might get some W players upset if a college kids makes it before a pro does.

 

[Lorcan]

Why isn't Courtney Vandersloot not in the conversation? I think Smith at Baylor gets a look up front after a few years in the W. Della Donne will be 34 for Paris, very young compared to DT or Sue. If healthy and if she wants to, she has experience and a unique skill set that nobody her size, outside Stewie, has. She should be considered. Expect Sabrina, Clark, Paige, and maybe even Fudd to get looks at though it might get some W players upset if a college kids makes it before a pro does.

Vandersloot has played internationally for the Hungarian National Team, IIRC since the US never called her up.

 

[Vowelguy]

Why isn't Courtney Vandersloot not in the conversation? s.

she plays for Hungary and is thus no longer eligible to play for US

 

[bbsamjj]

I hope so. Of the two, I prefer Paige.

Minus the fact that she plays for UConn, can I ask why? We have a much larger sample size for Ionescu, against much better competition.

I am biased, but if Laney continues to play as she has the past two years, she should 100% be on the team as the backup wing. At 6ft and given her skills, she's a much more natural backup at the 3spot than Collier (who should be the backup to Wilson, IMO). She's also one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, which will be a huge need for the team.

 

[BBallF]

Minus the fact that she plays for UConn, can I ask why? We have a much larger sample size for Ionescu, against much better competition.

I am biased, but if Laney continues to play as she has the past two years, she should 100% be on the team as the backup wing. At 6ft and given her skills, she's a much more natural backup at the 3spot than Collier (who should be the backup to Wilson, IMO). She's also one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, which will be a huge need for the team.

Sure. Paige is a better shooter, has the Bird/DT sense of the next move of the game, is a heartless winner, and can control the game from the point position. Sabrina does all the above, but Paige is better at them. Of course, we are talking 3 years from now so there is growth, physical development, maturity, experience and other factors I am projecting positively for her.

 

[Carnac]

As Stewie continues to grow, she will be the 3, 4, or 5 at the Olympics. By the amount of minutes Stewie was on the floor, you can tell she is the glue to the team.
As long as Sabrina gets healthy, she will be on the team, Gray, Loyd, played well enough to be on the team. Up front Stewie, Wilson, Griner, Collier should be back. The players who join them next year for the Fiba world championships, will have to prove themselves.

How quickly we forget about the WNBA all-stars that beat this team in exhibition play. The replacements can be found on that team to fill any holes on the 2024 roster. It should not be hard to select the 12 best players from the WNBA at selection time. It would have been interesting to see how that team of all-stars would have faired in this year’s Olympic pool play.

 

[oldhusky]

Seems to me there are few obvious candidates among existing WNBA players. either they are old enough that age could be a factor in three years, or they have not yet dominated in the league. Someone will probably emerge and become a clear choice, but the door is open for some current college players like Paige. Off hand I could see Boston, H. Jones , Brink and Clark as possibilities if current WNBA players don't stand out.

 

[eebmg]

Sure. Paige is a better shooter, has the Bird/DT sense of the next move of the game, is a heartless winner, and can control the game from the point position. Sabrina does all the above, but Paige is better at them. Of course, we are talking 3 years from now so there is growth, physical development, maturity, experience and other factors I am projecting positively for her.

And Paige will save the Olympic TV ratings.

 

[Vowelguy]

Seems to me there are few obvious candidates among existing WNBA players. either they are old enough that age could be a factor in three years, or they have not yet dominated in the league. Someone will probably emerge and become a clear choice, but the door is open for some current college players like Paige. Off hand I could see Boston, H. Jones , Brink and Clark as possibilities if current WNBA players don't stand out.

I think you are severely underestimating the skill level of pros. Of the top 10 US players just 1 was under 25. And if Maya and EDD were playing, Atkins and Pheesa prob don’t even make the squad.

there will not be a college influx in 2024

 

[Carnac]

Minus the fact that she plays for UConn, can I ask why? We have a much larger sample size for Ionescu, against much better competition.

I am biased, but if Laney continues to play as she has the past two years, she should 100% be on the team as the backup wing. At 6ft and given her skills, she's a much more natural backup at the 3spot than Collier (who should be the backup to Wilson, IMO). She's also one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, which will be a huge need for the team.

Laney is my favorite non-UConn player in the W. I’m biased too, but where she is concerned, I give her the nod. Unless her skills diminish in the next 3 years, I heartily agree with your take.

Like trying to name UConn’s starting 5 in August, picking the replacements for the 2024 national team today is a daunting task. The WNBA is fertile ground. It wii produce more than enough worthy and able candidates to fill a 12 player roster.

O/T: Payton Manning killed it this past weekend in his acceptance speech. By far the best and most entertaining speech of the weekend.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Would they put a player on the team that shoots it every time she touches it. Just seems her style of play goes against every thing the USNT does.

SJF, I agree 110% about Arike making or NOT making the NT!
The committee (who-ever that may be) wants players that are willing & able to sacrifice everything for the good of the program!
Arike doesn't fit that mold.

 

[Carnac]

I would not put Tina Charles as a lock, given her age (She'll be 35 next Olympics). Whether or not she makes the team, there's no way Arike is not in the conversation for a guard spot.

Would love for B.Jones from CT sun to get a look, though it will be very hard to break into the post spot.

You can add Jonquel Jones to that conversation too. Arike will probably “force” her way onto the roster. I know there are some here that don’t think so. She’s not a favorite of mine, but I’m putting personal feelings aside here. She can play, and can get you a bucket when needed.

On THIS team, she would do anything to try and “fit in”, knowing that she is on a national team that’s much bigger than she is, and the ultimate goal is not a personal one, but a national one.

As I suggested earlier, there will be no less than 18-22 legitimate candidates vying for the 12 roster spots. USA basketball will be well represented at the games in Paris. As usual, I think the rest of the field will be playing for SILVER.

 

[BobbyJ]

You can add Jonquel Jones to that conversation too. Arike will probably “force” her way onto the roster. I know there are some here that don’t think so. She’s not a favorite of mine, but I’m putting personal feelings aside here. She can play, and can get you a bucket when needed.

As I suggested earlier, there will be no less than 18-22 legitimate candidates vying for the 12 roster spots. USA basketball will be well represented at the games in Paris. As usual, I think the rest of the field will be playing for SILVER.

Jones plays for the Bosnian Olympic team. Though she was born in the Bahamas, she holds citizenship for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

 

[Carnac]

Jones plays for the Bosnian Olympic team. Though she was born in the Bahamas, she holds citizenship for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Humph…….

 

[dtbtbtb]

I don't know about the world championship but the USA should be inviting Paige, Sabrina and Clark for every camp they have to get experience as they are the future and i believe will be on the 2024 Olympics team.

 

[darkstar1]

How quickly we forget about the WNBA all-stars that beat this team in exhibition play. The replacements can be found on that team to fill any holes on the 2024 roster. It should not be hard to select the 12 best players from the WNBA at selection time. It would have been interesting to see how that team of all-stars would have faired in this year’s Olympic pool play.

Easy to forget as that game was meaningless to the National team. It did mean something to the all stars.

 

[Bald Husky]

SJF, I agree 110% about Arike making or NOT making the NT!
The committee (who-ever that may be) wants players that are willing & able to sacrifice everything for the good of the program!
Arike doesn't fit that mold.

Arika doesn't know the concept of team ball. Watch her play for Dallas and you can easily see what her mindset is on each play. Team USA is about chemistry and Arika has no shot of understanding that, but I believe the 3x3 team fits her game very well, with long range shooting and very quick play.

 

[Performance]

Not a fan of Arike by any means ( talented but too much of an attitude) but, I think she would be much better at the point than Skylar

 

[BBallF]

And Paige will save the Olympic TV ratings.

Very, very good point. I think this year they equaled reruns of Green Acres.

 

[Vowelguy]

Very, very good point. I think this year they equaled reruns of Green Acres.

At least this years Olympics included some events that were live in US prime time. In Paris that number will be 0. That will not help ratings.

 

[Bald Husky]

Not a fan of Arike by any means ( talented but too much of an attitude) but, I think she would be much better at the point than Skylar

What good is a point guard if she takes more shots than the rest of the team combined??? The points guards duty is to get the ball to the players that are open for an easy shot.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Arike is a great player and would be perfect for the 3x3 but should have nothing to do with the 5x5 National team. Just too much of a 1 on 1 player with bad shot selection and decision maker...

 

[BBallF]

At least this years Olympics included some events that were live in US prime time. In Paris that number will be 0. That will not help ratings.

The Gable Stevenson wrestling match was live and perhaps the greatest wrestling match in history.

 

[BBallF]

Arike is a great player and would be perfect for the 3x3 but should have nothing to do with the 5x5 National team. Just too much of a 1 on 1 player with bad shot selection and decision maker...

Good call. Who will stop her in 3x3? No one. In 5x5, real issues.

 

[TC22]

Rhyne Howard may be another one in the pool. She hasn’t been made to play defense in college, but she’s as good an offensive player as you can find and not a ball hog.

 

[UcMiami]

You never know how players will mesh on the national team - Angel McCoughtry has never had a great rep as a 'team player' but she (and Geno) found a niche for her skills and she played really well for two cycles.

I think that is the beauty of Geno's coach on the USA team - finding and defining roles specific to the player's talent and the team's needs for all 12 players. Something that I don't think was well executed for this Olympic team. Whalen and Bird were completely different point guards and yet both were able to run a equally effective team in the same games.

 

[jchusky]

0% Paige will be in the 2024 roster. Even Clark or someone else, the process that Fiba takes rewards people that go through the process except Nneka for whatever reason. In 2024 Paige would have just finished her 4th year in Uconn and in 3 months she's gonna be in the Olympic roster? Her chance will come but in 2028. Like posters have said the Wnba has plenty of veterans that can fill this roster. Arike is definitely worthy of being on the roster and other players like Mabrey who might improve might make a case in 3 seasons. Also people are sleeping on another player you might have seen her in the final 4, her name is Aari Mcdonald. After her 4th season in WNBA I expect her to be one of the top players in the league.

 

[jdubct]

0% Paige will be in the 2024 roster. Even Clark or someone else, the process that Fiba takes rewards people that go through the process except Nneka for whatever reason. In 2024 Paige would have just finished her 4th year in Uconn and in 3 months she's gonna be in the Olympic roster? Her chance will come but in 2028. Like posters have said the Wnba has plenty of veterans that can fill this roster. Arike is definitely worthy of being on the roster and other players like Mabrey who might improve might make a case in 3 seasons. Also people are sleeping on another player you might have seen her in the final 4, her name is Aari Mcdonald. After her 4th season in WNBA I expect her to be one of the top players in the league.

Breanna Stewart made the Olympic roster immediately following graduation. Paige very well could do the same.

 

[Skeets]

Breanna Stewart made the Olympic roster immediately following graduation. Paige very well could do the same.

I agree, but let me expand a little. If Paige stays healthy and if she has a couple more years in CBB like her freshman year, she makes the 2024 team. However, these are big IFs, but every other player have IFs too.

OT: who is going to knock DT out of Paris