The US players now competing in Mexico in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship are entering their junior year of high school. The coach is Sue Phillips, the head coach at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose. Besides helping to develop Haley Jones' skill set, her teams have won a number of California state titles and is a perennial powerhouse.
I recommend watching a game or two on YouTube to gain familiarity with the next "generation" of basketball stars. None have yet committed to a college team - that's probably a year away.
The most outstanding player is Judea "Juju" Watkins who is averaging 21 points in the first two games in limited minutes. She's also the number one ranked recruit in the 2023 class. For her first year of high school she played for Vanessa Nygaard at the Windward School in Los Angeles. Recently, she transferred to Sierra Canyon ahead of her junior season. Last year she was named Los Angeles Player of the year.
Last season Coach Nygaard took a leave of absence from Windward to be the assistant coach of the WNBA Las Vegas Aces. From 1993 to 1997 she was a star player for the Cardinal. Seems like Stanford might have an inside track in recruiting Juju - with the help of Ms. Nygaard.
Another key player for the US U16 team is Breya Cunningham, a 6'-4" player from La Jolla Country Day in La Jolla. Wonder if Candice Wiggins might be willing to take in some games at her old high school next season and talk to Breya about her years as a Cardinal. While she's at it, Jada Williams, a terrific guard prospect, is also a member of the current US U16 team and is Breya's teammate at Country Day.
While you're watching check out Delaney Thomas a leader in both scoring and rebounding, Margaret Mendelson, a 6'-6" post prospect, and Olivia Olson an all-around gifted player. The other teams in the tournament they've played, so far are weak, but Canada will provide more of a challenge. I haven't seen the Canadian team play yet, but hopefully we'll have a shot at some of their star players in a year, or so.
Anyway, its great to have a bunch of California kids playing for a great California coach and representing the USA. Do you think they know where Haley played in high school? And what team won the national championship last season? I think so, too.
STANFORD IS ON THE MOVE!! LET'S WIN IT AGAIN!!
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