Great read!

[thatch62]

Great article, I know the family and Hailey works hard at her craft everyday and thinks about it most of the day.


https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-01-30/gigi-kobe-bryant-teen-basketball-star-hailey-van-lith

 

[GBBall4L]

Great article, I know the family and Hailey works hard at her craft everyday and thinks about it most of the day.


https://www.latimes.com/california/...e-bryant-teen-basketball-star-hailey-van-lith

Haily Van Lith is a beast on the court! The Situation is still unreal. RIP to all 9!

 

[northbaybbguru]

Shes rated ahead of Paopao from LJCD?

Dang!!! She must be a good one...



*** I would bet Paopao is one of the girls on her list that the article mentions.

 

[ClayK]

Paopao's injury last year dropped her back ... I think most would say now that Paopao is more highly valued.

 

[thatch62]

Paopao's injury last year dropped her back ... I think most would say now that Paopao is more highly valued.

After seeing both play I give the edge to Van Lithe just because of her USA basketball experience. Intense player on both sides of the court. Her high school competition is nothing compared to Paopaos but her time with USA basketball has given her an edge along with 4 Gold Medals and playing with the best in the country.

 

[Willtalk]

After seeing both play I give the edge to Van Lithe just because of her USA basketball experience. Intense player on both sides of the court. Her high school competition is nothing compared to Paopaos but her time with USA basketball has given her an edge along with 4 Gold Medals and playing with the best in the country.

Why does playing on a USA team make someone suddenly better? Experience counts, but the amount of value and hype that comes with playing on a USA team is absurd.

It's basically taking the easy road in evaluating a player. I have seen players make huge leaps up in the rankings because they made a national team. I remember Sabrina game almost being ruined and it took her an entire season to get it back after her USA experience.

 

[thatch62]

Why does playing on a USA team make someone suddenly better? Experience counts, but the amount of value and hype that comes with playing on a USA team is absurd.

It's basically taking the easy road in evaluating a player. I have seen players make huge leaps up in the rankings because they made a national team. I remember Sabrina game almost being ruined and it took her an entire season to get it back after her USA experience.

It makes them better by playing with some of the best players in the country and playing against the best in the world. Being coached by outstanding college coaches also is a benefit.

I’m sorry your daughter didn’t make the team!

 

[thatch62]

If you watch the Louisville vs DePaul tonight on ESPN you got to see what women’s basketball is becoming, fast pace and hard nose! The women’s game has really started to evolve into some great basketball.

 

[ankleassassin]

It makes them better by playing with some of the best players in the country and playing against the best in the world. Being coached by outstanding college coaches also is a benefit.

I’m sorry your daughter didn’t make the team!

zero chill 😂😂😂

 

[GBBall4L]

It makes them better by playing with some of the best players in the country and playing against the best in the world. Being coached by outstanding college coaches also is a benefit.

I’m sorry your daughter didn’t make the team!

There are only limited roster spots on the USA team. Making that team is not the end all be all. Plenty of top tier players that didn't and won't make it in the future. Basing rankings off the USA team is a very lethargic approach. Don't get me wrong it means a ton but it's not everything.

 

[thatch62]

so you think the top women don’t make the team? And I never said anything about rankings but she was top 2 at her position and top 10 overall. And as freshman in the ACC on a top 5 team starting and leads in minutes, 3rd in scoring and so on. USA basketball helped her but her work ethic is what has made her the player she is. Just watch her and you can see that she is all game. That is why Kobe took her under his wing.

 

[GBBall4L]

so you think the top women don’t make the team? And I never said anything about rankings but she was top 2 at her position and top 10 overall. And as freshman in the ACC on a top 5 team starting and leads in minutes, 3rd in scoring and so on. USA basketball helped her but her work ethic is what has made her the player she is. Just watch her and you can see that she is all game. That is why Kobe took her under his wing.

I'm not talking about a particular player. I was just responding to your comment. If you are referring to Van Lith then she is a savage out there. I'm not downplaying anyone. I'm just saying the USA team has limited slots and the coaches are still going to want someone that fits what they are doing. That's all I'm saying. Not making a team doesn't mean you arent a top player. For example. The PAC-12 freshman of the year last season wasnt on the U17 Olympic team the summer before her frosh year at USC.

Alissa Pili named PAC-12 Freshman of the year

Alissa Pili named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

When you talk to Alissa Pili off the court, she has an extremely reserved, humble demeanor. But on the court, she doesn't hold back. After being named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for a fourth time, forward Alissa Pili has now been named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. She has…

trojanswire.usatoday.com

And there were 3 girls in the PAC-12 last year on that U17 from 2018 that were on that Olympic team.

2018 USA WOMEN'S U17 WORLD CUP TEAM

USA Women's U17 World Cup Team

www.usab.com

So girls if you are looking at this thread, making the U17 USA team is a great honor, but it's not the end all be all. It doesn't determine where you will end up in your development. It doesn't always mean someone is better than you are they may just fit what the coaches are trying to do with that team better. Keep pushing.

 

[ClayK]

The USA teams are picked by a Selection Committee, which rotates over time. Some committees construct a roster, trying to put together the 12 players who give a coach versatility. Other committees tend to pick the best players, regardless of position, and then let the coach sort it out from there.

Since the USA youth teams almost always win, and by large margins, it's not a particularly crucial decision.

 

[thatch62]

The or

I'm not talking about a particular player. I was just responding to your comment. If you are referring to Van Lith then she is a savage out there. I'm not downplaying anyone. I'm just saying the USA team has limited slots and the coaches are still going to want someone that fits what they are doing. That's all I'm saying. Not making a team doesn't mean you arent a top player. For example. The PAC-12 freshman of the year last season wasnt on the U17 Olympic team the summer before her frosh year at USC.

Alissa Pili named PAC-12 Freshman of the year

Alissa Pili named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

When you talk to Alissa Pili off the court, she has an extremely reserved, humble demeanor. But on the court, she doesn't hold back. After being named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for a fourth time, forward Alissa Pili has now been named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. She has…

trojanswire.usatoday.com

And there were 3 girls in the PAC-12 last year on that U17 from 2018 that were on that Olympic team.

2018 USA WOMEN'S U17 WORLD CUP TEAM

USA Women's U17 World Cup Team

www.usab.com

So girls if you are looking at this thread, making the U17 USA team is a great honor, but it's not the end all be all. It doesn't determine where you will end up in your development. It doesn't always mean someone is better than you are they may just fit what the coaches are trying to do with that team better. Keep pushing.

The original post was about Van Lith, and of course many great players do not make team USA. The other poster was down playing team USA and I believe team USA is a great experience for the players that make the team. They play internationally and are coached by some of the best coaches in the country.