Hoop Duo Picked For U18 National Trials
5/3/2012 2:02:18 PM | Women's Basketball
USA Basketball Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Syracuse women's basketball signees Brianna Butler and Brittney Sykes have been selected to attend the 2012 USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team Trials. They are two of just 26 athletes nationally to be invited to the trials held May 19-20 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Invitations to attend the trials were issued by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee chaired by Sue Donohoe, executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
“The committee is excited about this group of players as they are all highly skilled and accomplished,” Donohoe said. “With all the talent that will be at trials, we are going to have a difficult time selecting the team. We know that the players invited to the trials are the types of players who will positively represent USA Basketball in its quest for gold this summer at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.”
Butler, from Brooklyn, N.Y., and Sykes, a native of Newark, N.J., are the third and fourth McDonald's All-Americans to sign with the Orange. The headline a five-member class signed by head coach Quentin Hillsman that is ranked No. 6 nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz.
“Brianna and Britt are very skilled players and this honor shows how well-respected and recognized their abilities are,” Hillsman said. “I am very proud of them and wish them much success with the USA U18 trials.”
Butler starred for Nazareth High School this season and led the Lady Kingsmen to an 18-4 season and No. 1 ranking in New York City. The five-star recruit is rated as the No. 13 player overall in the 2012 class by ESPN HoopGurlz. The 5-11 guard was named New York All-State First Team after leading Nazareth to the Federation Class AA semifinals.
Sykes averaged 18.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists for University High in Newark this season. She was named New Jersey All-State as well as Second-Team All-USA by USA Today. The 5-9 guard is rated as the Nol. 30 overall recruit in the 2012 class and the No. 9 guard.
Following the May 19-20 trials, the U18 National Team is expected to be announced at 11 a.m. on May 21. The team will regroup at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. for its first training camp from May 28-June 2. The team will return to the USOTC for its final training camp Aug. 3-12.
The USA U18 National Team will compete in the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15-19, in hopes of securing a berth in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women (dates and site TBD). The FIBA Americas U18 Championship will feature eight national teams from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with the top three finishing teams qualifying for the 2013 FIBA U19 Worlds. Players eligible for this competition must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1994.
University of Miami head coach Katie Meier will serve as head coach of the U18 squad, while collegiate head coaches Nikki Caldwell of Louisiana State University and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga University will act as assistant coaches.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Syracuse women's basketball signees Brianna Butler and Brittney Sykes have been selected to attend the 2012 USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team Trials. They are two of just 26 athletes nationally to be invited to the trials held May 19-20 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Invitations to attend the trials were issued by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee chaired by Sue Donohoe, executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
“The committee is excited about this group of players as they are all highly skilled and accomplished,” Donohoe said. “With all the talent that will be at trials, we are going to have a difficult time selecting the team. We know that the players invited to the trials are the types of players who will positively represent USA Basketball in its quest for gold this summer at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.”
Butler, from Brooklyn, N.Y., and Sykes, a native of Newark, N.J., are the third and fourth McDonald's All-Americans to sign with the Orange. The headline a five-member class signed by head coach Quentin Hillsman that is ranked No. 6 nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz.
“Brianna and Britt are very skilled players and this honor shows how well-respected and recognized their abilities are,” Hillsman said. “I am very proud of them and wish them much success with the USA U18 trials.”
Butler starred for Nazareth High School this season and led the Lady Kingsmen to an 18-4 season and No. 1 ranking in New York City. The five-star recruit is rated as the No. 13 player overall in the 2012 class by ESPN HoopGurlz. The 5-11 guard was named New York All-State First Team after leading Nazareth to the Federation Class AA semifinals.
Sykes averaged 18.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists for University High in Newark this season. She was named New Jersey All-State as well as Second-Team All-USA by USA Today. The 5-9 guard is rated as the Nol. 30 overall recruit in the 2012 class and the No. 9 guard.
Following the May 19-20 trials, the U18 National Team is expected to be announced at 11 a.m. on May 21. The team will regroup at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. for its first training camp from May 28-June 2. The team will return to the USOTC for its final training camp Aug. 3-12.
The USA U18 National Team will compete in the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15-19, in hopes of securing a berth in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women (dates and site TBD). The FIBA Americas U18 Championship will feature eight national teams from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with the top three finishing teams qualifying for the 2013 FIBA U19 Worlds. Players eligible for this competition must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1994.
University of Miami head coach Katie Meier will serve as head coach of the U18 squad, while collegiate head coaches Nikki Caldwell of Louisiana State University and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga University will act as assistant coaches.
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