USA U16 Member: Rebecca Greenwell

Rebecca Greenwell recently completed her sophomore season at Owensboro Catholic H.S. As a sophomore, the 6-1 guard paced her team with a team-high 32.6 ppg., in addition to 12.0 rpg., 3.6 apg., 3.9 spg. and 1.4 bpg. She started in all 35 games in 2010-11, leading her school to a 27-8 record and an appearance in the Kentucky state tournament. Despite being just a sophomore, the Owensboro, Ky. native, has competed on varsity for four seasons, beginning her career as a 7th grader. In all, she has started in all 131 games since her 7th grade season, and has compiled school records of 2,821 points, 1,136 rebounds, 392 assists, 321 steals and 170 blocks. Greenwell was selected to the Class A All-State Tournament team in 2011, setting records in points in a single game and points in the tournament (122). Last week, she was selected as one of 12 members of the USA Basketball U16 national team that will compete for a gold medal in the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Women June 13-18 in Merida, Mexico. She talked with USABasketball.com after Saturday’s morning training session.

Now that you’re on the team, what part of the experience are you most excited about?

Probably meeting all of these new girls. I’ve seen a lot of them throughout AAU and travel ball, but actually getting to know them now is really cool.

What has the interaction been like between all of the girls on the team?

We’ve been getting to know each other through the dorms. We’re all getting along real well. We all hung out last night, and there’s been a lot of joking around and laughing. We’re already pretty good friends and it’s just beginning.

What’s been surprising to you so far?

It’s a lot different than travel teams or in high school, because everyone here is as good as you or better. Everyone pushes you really hard, so we’re all making each other better.

How have the first couple of workouts compared to what you expected?

They are very long. I didn’t expect them to be 2 and a half hours each, but I guess that’s what you have to do if you’re on the U16 national team.

What’s your all-time favorite basketball memory?

During high school last year in the state tournament, we beat our rival, Lexington Christian Academy, on a last-second buzzer-beater shot. It was incredible.

You started playing varsity in 7th grade. Talk about what that was like and how that has helped you:

Yes, I started playing in 7th grade. My sister played on the team, so she helped me throughout it all. It was kind of cool playing on the same team as her for awhile. It definitely helped me by playing with the older and better people.

What is your favorite part about the game of basketball?

I think I like it because of the fast pace. Every play matters and there’s something always going on.

What was the reaction like from your friends and family back home when you told them you had made the USA Basketball U16 national team?

It was really insane. I told one person, my mom, right away, and then after I got out of the meeting a couple minutes later I had 21 text messages. Everyone was really supportive at school. My mom put this giant sign in front of my school that said, ‘Congrats Becca! Good luck in Mexico!’ It was really insane.

What’s something that not many people know about you?

I played tennis last year and half of this year. I liked it but had to give it up to train for this.

What is your favorite sports website? Your favorite non-sports website?

ESPN and Facebook.

What is your favorite food?

Potato soup.

What is your favorite class?

Algebra 2.

What is your favorite meal to make?

Cookies.

Who is your favorite basketball team and player?

The Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo.

Who is your favorite non-basketball Olympian?

Michael Phelps.

Who is the best player you’ve played against?

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.

If you could choose one player to go one-on-one against, who would it be?

Candace Parker.

Who is the most impressive person you’ve met?

Kara Lawson, because of her success with basketball, and off the court.

Away from the court, what do you enjoy doing?

Playing tennis, boating, jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, fishing, 4-wheeler riding, shopping and being with friends.

Where is the move interesting place you’ve visited?

Key Largo, Fla., snorkeling along the reef.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

My family.

If you weren’t playing basketball, what would you be doing?

Playing other sports and working a job.

Why do you wear No. 23?

Because of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.