A'ja Wilson Named to USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team

May 26, 2014

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following six trials sessions from May 25-26 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC), South Carolina signee A’ja Wilson (Hopkins, S.C./Heathwood Hall) highlights the 12-member 2014 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team announced Monday evening. The team, which was selected by the USAS Basketball Junior National Team Committee, will compete in the USA Basketball-hosted 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship at the USOTC Aug. 6-10.

A total of three USA Basketball gold medalists – Wilson, Receé Caldwell and Brianna Turner – made the team. Joining their first USA Basketball team are: Ariel Atkins, Napheesa Collier, Paris Kea, Marina Mabrey, Teaira McCowan, Beatrice Mompremier, Mariya Moore, Jessica Shepard and Destinee Walker.

University of South Carolina head coach and three-time Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley, who also will serve as an assistant to the 2014 USA World Championship Team, is the 2014 USA U18 National Team head coach. Joining Staley on the USA U18 team sideline as assistants are collegiate head coaches Kim Barnes Arico (University of Michigan) and Jeff Walz (University of Louisville).

“We have a lot of strengths on this team,” said Jim Foster, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head coach and chair of the USA Junior National Team Committee. “We have some returning players from international competition and a nice blend of size and athleticism. This is a team the committee feels can be very representative of USA Basketball and the success we’ve had in the past.”

“I think it’s a great team,” said Staley, who in addition to her three Olympic gold medals as an athlete aided the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team to gold as an assistant coach. “To be quite honest, it was a great trials. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t take all 29 players, because they all brought something different to the table and could have very easily been on this basketball team. But, the 12 that they picked are very, very talented. They’re very versatile. I think they’ll perform well in our tournament, and I’m looking forward to working with them on a daily basis.”

2014 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Roster
NAME – POS – HGT – HOMETOWN
Ariel Atkins – G – 5-11 – Duncanville, TX
Receé Caldwell – G – 5-8 – San Antonio, TX
Napheesa Collier – G – 6-1 – O’Fallon, MO
Paris Kea – G – 5-8 – Greensboro, NC
Marina Mabrey – G – 5-10 – Manasquan, NJ
Teaira McCowan – C – 6-7 – Brenham, TX
Beatrice Mompremier – C – 6-4 – Miami, FL
Mariya Moore – G/F – 5-11 – Richmond, CA
Jessica Shepard – F – 6-4 – Freemont, NE
Brianna Turner – G/F – 6-3 – Pearland, TX
Destinee Walker – G/F – 5-10 – Ocoee, FL
A’ja Wilson – F – 6-3 – Hopkins, SC

Head Coach: Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina
Assistant Coach: Kim Barnes Arico, University of Michigan
Assistant Coach: Jeff Walz, University of Louisville