COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (June 1, 2026) – USA Basketball announced today the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team after three days of trials at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The group is set to compete at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, scheduled for June 9-15 in Irapuato, Mexico. The team will hold a four-day training camp prior to traveling to Mexico.
The 2026 USA Women’s U18 National Team, featuring athletes from the graduating classes of 2026, 2027 and 2028, includes Kelsi Andrews, Haylen Ayers, Jezelle “GG” Banks, Ryan Carter, Sydney Douglas, Bella Flemings, Jayla Forbes, Miciah “Mimi” Fusilier, Jayla “Jordyn” Jackson, Jordyn Palmer, Sydney Savoury and Kaleena Smith.
Each athlete has USA Basketball experience at previous junior national trials, competitions or minicamps. Douglas won a gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup, while Andrews and Palmer won gold at the 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup. Andrews and Jackson won gold at the 2023 FIBA U16 AmeriCup. Jackson also participated in the 2026 Nike Hoop Summit, helping the USA earn a 104-77 victory over the World Select team.
As previously announced, the 2026 USA Women’s U18 National Team will be led by head coach Niele Ivey (University of Notre Dame). She will be assisted by Robyn Fralick (Michigan State University) and Charmin Smith (University of California, Berkeley).
The U.S. will look to capture their 12th straight gold medal and 13th overall since the tournament’s inception in 1988.
The USA, who will be in Group B, will open against Argentina on June 9 (7:30 p.m. ET) and hope to move to 12-0. The U.S. follow up with Mexico on June 10 (10 p.m. ET). The USA have a 6-0 record over Mexico. Group B play closes with Paraguay on June 12 (2:30 p.m. ET) in the second meeting of the nations in U18 play. The U.S. won the previous meeting in 2006. The knockout rounds begin on June 13 with the quarterfinals followed by the semifinals on June 14 and medal contests on June 15. The tournament will stream live on YouTube.com/FIBA.
To apply for media credentials in Colorado Springs, visit usab.com/credentials. For more information on competition accreditation, visit fiba.com/media-center.