COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 4, 2023) – As the USA prepares for the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, set for July 1-9 in Leon, Mexico, 22 athletes are expected to participate in the 2023 USA Women’s AmeriCup Team trials May 11-15 in Colorado Springs. Players were selected by the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee, chaired by DePaul University head women’s basketball coach Doug Bruno, in collaboration with Jen Rizzotti, Connecticut Sun president and chair of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee.
Trials will be run by AmeriCup coaches Kamie Ethridge (Washington State University), Katrina Merriweather (University of Cincinnati) and Aaron Johnston (South Dakota State University).
“I want to thank the committee members for their efforts in putting together such a quality group of invitees for the 2023 USA AmeriCup Team trials,” Bruno said. “Trials will be a fun and challenging experience for each of these athletes, and 12 of these exceptional young athletes will depart Colorado Springs ready to embrace the challenges of international competition, where the USA will face the very best from FIBA Americas."
The trials roster features five athletes who have claimed a combined seven gold medals as members of various USA Basketball teams. Janiah Barker is a gold medalist at the 2019 FIBA U16 Americas Championship and 2021 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup. Lauren Betts was a member of the 2019 U16 National Team and added a second gold at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup alongside Jewel Spear. Rickea Jackson secured gold at the 2019 3x3 U18 World Cup, while Charisma Osborne earned the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup title.
Additionally, Raegan Beers, McKenzie Forbes, Raven Johnson, Deja Kelly and Angel Reese have participated in previous USA Basketball team trials.
Making their USA Basketball debuts are Makira Cook, Dyaisha Fair, Chance Gray, Abbey Hsu, Flau’jae Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens, Ta’Niya Latson, Alexis Markowski, Rayah Marshall, Annesah Morrow, Laila Phelia and Emma Ronsiek. Ronsiek is also set to compete May 5-7 at USA Basketball 3X Nationals as a member of Creighton’s squad.
“I appreciate the committee’s efforts to invite such a competitive and talented group of athletes to the AmeriCup trials,” Ethridge said. “I want to thank each and every player for choosing to come to trials and represent USA Basketball. We are well represented in every position with versatility, athleticism and unique skills that will allow us to adjust to the many different styles of play we may face during the competition. I am confident by the end of trials we will field a team that will proudly represent our country.”
Following selection of the 2023 USA Women’s AmeriCup Team, athletes will return to Colorado Springs for training camp in June.
Since the event’s inception in 1993, the United States has captured four AmeriCup gold medals, including titles in 2019 and 2021. In addition to the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will participate in the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup. The draw is set to take place May 10.
For more information about the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, click here.
To apply for media credentials for trials or training camp, please visit www.sportssystems.com/usabasketball.