JumpOffPlus.com Throwback Thursdays: USA U16 Trials June 2009

Bashaara Graves turned heads in Colorado en route to being named an EBA, McDonald's and WBCA All-American

Colorado Springs, Colo. – In preparation for the inaugural 16-and-under FIBA World Championships – held in Mexico City this August – USA Basketball selected 34 of the top 2011 and 2012 prospects from around the country to tryout for one of 12 spots on the United States roster entry to the event. The team will be coached by Barbara Nelson who is the head coach at Wingate University in North Carolina. The talent level on hand was very good and the selection committee appears to have a tough road ahead to pair down the last four or five players on Saturday night and even into Sunday morning.

*As written by Brandon Clay in May 2009

By: @BrandonClayPSB

The wrap-up will be a mix of players that are new evals for the JumpOffPlus.com along with players who made noise on Thursday and Friday.

Jordan Adams – Mater Dei School (Santa Ana, California)

Adams – a 6-foot Class of 2012 grad – is a versatile guard with the mentality to handle the ball at the point or play off the ball. Naturally, she projects as a wing who can spell some write essay my academic goals at the point. Right now, she is a driver first who will have to show that she can consistently knock down the open three pointer to be amongst the top two or three players in her class nationally.

Ariya Crook-Williams – Long Beach Poly High (Los Angeles, California)

One of the eight point guards participating in the trials, Crook-Williams showed flashes of her skill at the 1. She hit a couple of open jumpers and created chances for teammates but was not able to maintain consistency throughout the first three sessions. The 5-6 Class of 2011 grad will have to get in great shape to put herself in the discussion with the top two or three point guards in her class.

Bashaara Graves – Clarksville (Tennessee) High

The 6-2 power forward has the body frame of a college freshman. She can run, jump and is more than willing to rebound the basketball. She finishes around the rim as well. Next in Graves progression will be the need for a true midrange face-up jumper to compliment her ability in the paint. Look for her to be one of the elite post players in the Class of 2012.

Justine Hartman – Brea Olinda High (Brea, California)

A online writing service true, fundamental post player, Hartman’s play on Friday morning will make the selection committee have to keep her in their thoughts as the select the team. At 6-1, she’s is not a great athlete nor does she have blazing speed or amazing athleticism. What she does have is the best in-game offensive skill set of any post player that participated in the trials. The Class of 2011 grad hit shots with both hands as well as a couple of step-out 17 foot jumpers.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis – Mater Dei School (Santa Ana, California)

Mosqueda-Lewis really got it going Friday morning hitting shots from seemingly everywhere outside of fifteen feet. The 5-11 wing has the quickest release on her jumper of any player that I have seen in recent memory. She also have a savvy beyond her age (Class of 2011 grad) that allows her to make plays that she doesn’t appear to be able to make. If she can stay in top shape, she will be a household name for years to come.

Ariel Massengale – Bolingbrook (Illinois) High

Massengale – a 5-6 Class of 2011 grad – played really well in both sessions on Friday. She reminds me of former Duke star Jayson Williams with her write essay help frame and ability. Her quickness and shooting make her a tough guard to defend. After watching Massengale the past two days, she would appear to be a lock to make the team at the point.

Bonnie Samuelson – Edison High (Huntington Beach, California)

The combination of wing skill with a power forward height and defensive capability makes for an interesting player. That description fits the 6-2 Samuelson – a Class of 2011 graduate. Her game is similar to Blanche Alverson (Class of 2009 – Auburn signee) at that age in that she is most comfortable shooting from the outside and has the height, length and potential to be a tough matchup as a step-out 4 player in college.

Brianna Stewart – Cicero High (North Syracuse, New York)

Stewart is quickly positioning herself as one of the top two or three 2012 prospects in the country. The 6-3 forward finishes with her hand on the glass both ways at the rim and showed the foundation of a face-up jumper out to the three point line though that is still a work in progress. She has a wingspan of a player 6-7 as her arms seem to touch her calves as she stands upright.

Kacy Swain – writing lab reports and scientific papers Chapperal High (Temecula, California)

Swain is a long, solidly build power forward. The Class of 2011 prospect is one of the country’s top post players. At 6-3, Swain has a nice skill set with a midrange jumper, a handle in the open floor and the frame to mix it up inside. She’ll have to learn when and where to create against other high level players to be in the top of the class.

Alexyz Vaioletama – Mater Dei School (Santa Ana, California)

The left-handed forward is undersized but possesses an array of ways to get the job done. She is 5-11 with a face up jumper and a relentless motor underneath the glass. Although her physical tools might not allow her to dominate games, she seems to have a knack for where the next hustle play is going to be. Added range on her jumper and a go to mid-post move would have her elevate her game.

Brandon Clay is the owner of the JumpOffPlus.com International Report, Peach State Basketball, Inc., and ProspectsNation.com. The JumpOffPlus.com is picked up by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He serves as the Executive Camp Director for the Elite Basketball Academy Camps. Clay has been involved in the community since 2001. You can reach him at [email protected]