Earlier than stars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Boston and JuJu Watkins grew to become family names, they suited up for Staff USA’s U16 roster.
That group’s legacy of that includes future stars continued over Memorial Day Weekend in Colorado Springs, the place 52 of the nation’s high younger gamers within the 2026 via 2028 highschool courses competed for a spot on the nationwide group. After 4 days of intense drills and high-level competitors, 12 gamers earned the chance to compete for head coach Steve Gomez (Lubbock Christian College) and Staff USA on the FIBA U16 AmeriCup in Irapuato, Mexico (June 16-22).
In the end, the committee selected the group it felt greatest match the system for the duty at hand: profitable one other gold medal for USA Basketball. There are questions, significantly at level guard, however that is typical in a two-year cycle designed to construct towards the U17 World Cup. The AmeriCup serves as each a proving floor and launching pad.
Let’s check out the 12 gamers prepared to hold the torch for Staff USA.
Class of 2026
2026 ESPNW 100 rating: 16 | G | 5-11 | Lengthy Island Lutheran (NY)/Exodus EYBL | Uncommitted
In a gaggle that wanted as a lot veteran presence as doable, Jones stuffed wants at each guard spots. She has developed right into a dogged defender and her maturity on the ground can pay dividends. She’s fairly younger for the 2026 class, and shall be a significant a part of this group.
Class of 2027
F | 6-2 | Bullis Faculty (MD)/WV Thunder UA | Uncommitted
Total, Wilson-Manyacka is one of the best participant on this group. Her measurement, body, mobility and coordination make her a troublesome matchup for anybody. Staff USA will make the most of her versatility on each ends, so anticipate to see her log minutes at each small ahead and energy ahead. She is capturing nicely from deep — the 3-point line is an extended distance in FIBA in comparison with highschool — and he or she’s laborious to maintain out of the paint. Defensively, she makes use of her bodily presents to cowl a whole lot of floor, guard a number of positions and dominate the glass.
C | 6-5 | Oak Grove HS (LA)/Mavs Elite UA | Uncommitted
With out query, Bradley was one of the best publish participant in the course of the trials in Could. She’s superior together with her again to the basket and is a basically sound defender. Bradley has grown right into a face-up mid-range sport, and she will prolong her vary past the 3-point line — invaluable with FIBA’s wider lane. Even with spacing at a premium, Staff USA ought to have the ability to play via her on the block.
W | 6-0 | Princess Anne HS (VA)/YKS P24 | Uncommitted
Ojo is lengthy and sleek on the ground and by no means stops competing. She will defend a number of positions and constantly make good performs in transition. Offensively, she’s expert sufficient to steer the break or fill lanes for early offense. Her maturity and toughness give the teaching employees lineup flexibility.
F | 6-3 | Olathe South HS (KS)/Southwest Choose 3SSB | Uncommitted
Lengthy stands out immediately. She has a protracted body, an enthusiastic voice and limitless athleticism. Her excessive motor results in loads of rebounds on each ends together with plenty of finishes on the rim. Lengthy retains the offense flowing as a result of she strikes nicely with out the ball, and is aware of learn how to play within the screen-and-roll. A cell defender, Lengthy eagerly challenges photographs on the rim.
F | 6-3 | Centennial HS (NV)/Utah Prospects 3SSB | Uncommitted
Williams’ relentless rebounding stands out immediately. She crashes each possession and both she will get the ball or calls for the protection put a high quality, bodily field out on her. As such, Williams tends to put on defenders down after a couple of possessions, resulting in extra simple alternatives for her group later in video games. Williams has improved her face-up sport and willingness to go to her proper as a lefty — all good indicators in her growth. She makes use of her power as a determined benefit on protection.
PG | 5-9 | Lakeridge HS (TX)/Professional Abilities EYBL | Uncommitted
Bailey can log minutes as a lead guard. Defensively, she was energetic and dependable guarding the ball. Her passing and consistency pushing the tempo additionally stood out in Colorado Springs. She’s adept at breaking down defenders and making high quality, correct passes with each fingers. Bailey brings a much-needed connective power to the ground.
Class of 2028
G | 5-11 | Ontario Christian (CA)/Staff Why Not EYBL | Uncommitted
Griffin was arguably one of the best general participant on the ground for parts of the trials. A strong guard who thrives attacking downhill, she confirmed she will counter her physicality with a pleasant change-of-pace transfer and superior deal with to get by defenders. She’s a targeted competitor who’s seldom rattled. She could also be one of many youngest gamers on the group, however they will depend on her regular consistency.
W | 6-1 | Mary Institute and Saint Louis Nation Day/Missouri Phenom EYBL | Uncommitted
Haywood is a protracted slasher who glides to the rim, however may knock down pull-up jumpers. Defensively, she confirmed she will guard a number of positions and contribute on the glass. She’s going to get Staff USA on the assault in transition shortly.
Head Up, Haywood 🪙 @_jordynh2
🇺🇸 #USABWU16 pic.twitter.com/OqWx2wX6yc
— USABJNT (@usabjnt) June 12, 2025
G | 5-10 | Plano East HS (TX)/Professional Abilities EYBL | Uncommitted
Robinson earned her spot with relentlessness and consistency. Like Griffin, she makes use of her power to bully previous defenders and take contact on the rim. She then counters her explosiveness with a savvy change of tempo that results in finishes on the rim, pull-up jumpers and appears for others. Defensively, she’s a robust and bodily on-ball defender. Robinson has a veteran presence about her sport and can play a number of roles for this U16 group.
F | 6-4 | Broomfield HS (CO)/CO Hoopsters | Uncommitted
The rising rising sophomore has a perfect body and runs the ground very nicely. Her exterior shot is picturesque and he or she’s snug slashing to the rim off the dribble. She’s nonetheless studying to make use of her physicality across the paint, which is comprehensible for a participant her age.
PG | 5-7 | Sandy Creek HS (GA)/AEBL P24 | Uncommitted
Reckley brings elite end-to-end pace as some extent guard. She retains the ball on a string and creates loads of paint touches together with alternatives for others. Reckley can play with some scoring aptitude, however she’ll study to stability it with a ground normal mentality as a lead guard. Defensively, her ball stress can create some simple alternatives as nicely. This competitors is a good alternative for her to proceed to develop.
