Additional Quotes >> 2008 USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team

June 12, 2008 � Colorado Springs, Colorado

Head Coach Carol Owens (Northern Illinois University)
How do you think trials went?
I think trials went really well and that this was a great group. Everyone was very coachable and there was a lot of energy - more than I expected from this age group. I am really excited about the 12 who will be joining us in July.

Is their an initial reaction you have to the roster?
There is always a level of anticipation for coaches when you hear the roster for the first time. I feel this is a good group and that they are going to do very well. I think the committee did a great job selecting the right kids, the right fit and a balanced group that I think will work well together.

Are there any strengths or weaknesses to this group that you have seen so far?
I can't wait to get them in practice. I think our strength has to be our defense. When you are playing teams from other countries, everyone can score. We have to be able to defend and create scoring opportunities for ourselves. We have to rebound too. I think this team has the capability of scoring but we have to be able to do other things. We have to be a hard-working team.

'There's no better uniform than to put on the USA Basketball uniform.' ~ Kelsey Bone, 2008 USA U18 National Team member

Is there a message you tried to send the team home with as they prepare for training camp in July?
Be in shape. That is so important. In order to play the way we want to play, they have to be in great condition. I think it's going to be something different for this group because it's kind of the first time they will be practicing at some sort of college level. We will be in this altitude (6,200'), which will help eventually. We are going to practice them hard, get ready and work to earn gold.

What is your focus as you look ahead to training camp?
Initially it's excitement. But now as we enter into July, I know we have to get to work. We have to determine the best offense for this team to help them be successful. Defensively, we will be able to break things down and concentrate on a lot of things now that we have the time to do that.

Kelsey Bone (Dulles High School / Stafford, Texas)
What kind of emotions did you feel when you hear your name called out as a member of the team?
Oh, it was better than not hearing my name called out! I kind of came in and was positive, but I can tell you that I have not slept in two days. It was a sigh of relief and pure emotion.

What do you think you did this weekend that made you stand out in front of the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee?
I was pretty confident this morning I didn't play my best but I felt that I did enough to make a good impression. I wasn't very strong at the beginning but I came on strong at the end once I adjusted to everything. So I was pretty confident coming in.

You're one of four underclassmen on this team. What are your thoughts on that?
It's great. I'm not the only one so that was pretty exciting. My really good friend Skylar (Diggins) made the team with me so now I get to meet and build a relationship with Kelly (Faris) and Jocelyn (Tinkle) and everybody else on the team. It's really a great thing to all be in this together.

What do you think you'll be thinking when you step out in that first game with U-S-A across your chest?
I don't think there's a greater feeling. There's no better uniform than to put on the USA Basketball uniform. You have to come out and you have to represent like you want to keep putting it on. It's going to be great.

Will you follow the U.S. Olympic team this summer?
Yeah, I'm a basketball nut. I've been watching since the 2000 Olympics. Just to now be in the system and know I'm on those stepping stones to try and be there, it makes you look at it a lot differently than I have in the past.

The USA U18 National Team has a long list of very talented players, Tamika Catchings in 1996, Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi in 2000, Candace Parker in 2004, Maya Moore in 2006, just to name a few. How does it feel to now be listed among players of that caliber?
Yeah, and now it's my turn. Now we're bringing up the rear. It's time for the new group to come in, it's pretty exciting. That's what I'm striving to do is to be an Olympian.

Sarah Boothe (Warren Township High School / Gurnee Ill.)
What kind of emotions did you feel when you hear your name called out as a member of the team?
Oh my gosh, I was so nervous. This is such a privilege and such an honor just to be here. I worked so hard just to get here and to be recognized as part of this team, a member of USA Basketball, is just an honor. I'm so excited � words can't express.

Is there a player on the USA Basketball National Team that you look up to and aspire to be like?
Lisa Leslie, of course, and Diana Taurasi. They're great players and to be a part of USA Basketball and representing your country is huge. You can represent your hometown, but representing your country is so huge.

What do you think you did this weekend that made you stand out in front of the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee?
All I did was try my hardest. I gave it my all every time. I hustled and did what I do best. I stuck with the posts, worked on my moves and showed the Committee what I could offer the team: being a good teammate, hustling and giving it my all.

How much will this experience help you heading into Stanford University in the fall?
I think it's going to help me tremendously. Because you're surrounded by great players your play is going to elevate on its own. Then getting the chance to play international basketball, you get exposed to different teams. This is going to be a great experience for me before Stanford.

Alyssia Brewer (Sapulpa High School / Tulsa, Okla.)
How does it feel to be named to the USA Basketball U18 National Team?
I wasn't expecting this at all, I was actually in shock. I think this is awesome because I'm one of 12 out of the whole entire country on this team. This is a great opportunity for all of us, for us to be able to travel out of the country and play against other countries and stuff. It will be a great experience and will help us make that transition into college.

What do you think you'll be thinking when you step out in that first game with U-S-A across your chest?
It's going to be totally different because over here you have nationals, but you're just playing against the same people here in the country. Now we'll be playing against different people from different countries and cultures. I think we'll be able to take how they play and how we play and put some of the tactics together.

How do you hope this experience will help you at the University of Tennessee next year?
I think it will help out a lot to be able to play with the best in our country and against the best in other countries. It'll help just to go back and use what we learned when we go into college.

Have you followed some of the USA Basketball careers of some of this year's Olympic team?
I watched the Olympics a little bit when I was younger and the only two I really remember are Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie. I know about Candace (Parker), obviously, and some of the others this year.

The USA U18 National Team has a long list of very talented players, Tamika Catchings in 1996, Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi in 2000, Candace Parker in 2004, Maya Moore in 2006, just to name a few. How does it feel to now be listed among players of that caliber?
Wow! No, I haven't thought about it at all. I'll start thinking about it now and about what I can do in the future and how good all of us can possibly be after this.

Growing up did you ever imagine that you'd have the opportunity to represent your country?
No. I will tell you that even two years ago I never even thought of anything like that so this is pretty amazing.

Ashley Corral (Prairie High School / Vancouver, Wash.)
How does it feel to be named to the USA Basketball U18 National Team?
I was pretty shocked, to be honest. This is one of the toughest teams to make, ever. I've never not made a team in my life and all week I was thinking that I wasn't doing things right, I wasn't doing what they wanted, so it was a pretty big shock to me.

What are your thoughts on this team?
I think we're really talented. There's not one weak person, there's not one weak link. I think we all have our own abilities to bring to this table.

What do you bring to the team?
I'm a pretty good shooter, I'm an outside shooter with a 3-point shot. I also try to bring as much leadership as possible. As a point guard that's kind of our job.

'The only thing better than wearing a USC jersey is wearing a USA jersey.' ~ Ashley Corral, 2008 USA U18 National Team member

What does it mean for you to represent the United States of America?
It's huge. It's the biggest accomplishment ever. My college coaches have talked to me and they've said that the only thing better than wearing a USC jersey is wearing a USA jersey. It's a big deal to everybody.

There are two former USC players, Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson, on this year's Olympic team. Have you watched their progress through USA Basketball or are there any other USA players you'd like to aspire to be like?
If you're really big into basketball it's everybody's goal to make the USA Olympic team. That's the highest you can get. You have to work hard and work your way up to it. Hopefully this is my start.

Will you watch the Olympics with a little more interest this year?
Being on the (USA U18 National Team) is pretty awesome so I'll watch with a little more interest now.

Skylar Diggins (Washington High School / South Bend, Ind.)
How does it feel to make the team?
It's an indescribable feeling. Out of all the girls in the country, only 12 of us could make the team and they chose me to be one of them; and I am one of the younger girls. To be invited is an honor in itself and to get picked to represent your country is huge. I'm very happy.

What are your strengths? What do you hope to contribute to this team?
I think everyone brings something different to the table; that's why they chose us. We are completely different players. We have posts, guards and shooters and I think whatever role they need me to play I will, and I think everyone will comply with their roles too.

What does it mean to you to wear the red, white and blue and represent the USA?
A lot of people dream of this. It is one thing to represent your city or your state, but it's a whole other level to represent your country. It is an amazing opportunity and we will take advantage of it and bring back the gold.

Kelly Faris (Heritage Christian / Plainfield, Ind.)
How does it feel to make the team?
It's a great honor to be invited to come here and be a part of the trials, but to hear your named called to be on that final 12 is a great feeling and I'm very excited. It's going to be fun playing with all of these girls.

What are your strengths? What do you hope to contribute to this team?
The main parts of my game are defense and seeing the floor. I may not be the biggest scorer, although they told me they want to help me improve in that role. I like to make sure I see the floor and see where everyone is at on both ends of the court.

What does it mean to you to wear the red, white and blue and represent the USA?
It's everything. I'm speechless. It's a great honor. We are representing everyone. It's not just us as individuals or our school; it's the entire United States, which is going to be an experience that we will never forget.

Lynetta Kizer (Potomac High School / Woodbridge, Va.)
How does it feel to make the team?
I am very excited. This is a great honor. After watching all of those people go through this program, like Candace Parker, I can now say that I will be one of them. I am very excited to play with these young ladies.

What are your strengths? What do you hope to contribute to this team?
I tried to concentrate on playing defense throughout the sessions and when it was my time to score I tried to do that as well. I hope to step up as a defensive player and be that role player they need me to be. If they need me to score, then that's what I will do. But we have pretty strong scorers on this team, so I will look to just get it done on the defensive end.

What does it mean to you to wear the red, white and blue and represent the USA?
It's an honor. I can't stop smiling. I grew up around Monica Wright and watched as she came through the program. It feels as though I am following in her footsteps and it's an honor to have the opportunity to go out there and do follow in the footsteps of all of those players that came before us and to represent the USA.

Nneka Ogwumike (Cy-Fair High School / Cypress, Texas)
How does it feel to make the team?
It feels wonderful; being invited here was already a blessing and it means even more to make the team. I am really excited to be a part of this.

'It's an amazing feeling to represent your country.' ~ Nneka Ogwumike, 2008 USA U18 National Team member

What are your strengths? What do you hope to contribute to this team?
Everyone here is good and everyone is capable of scoring. Right now I think my strength is just working hard in the little things because everyone here is use to being the scorer and sometimes we have to forget that not all of us are going to be able to score all the time. I think working hard and paying attention to the little things is what is going to make me a little more successful.

What does it mean to you to wear the red, white and blue and represent the USA?
It is an amazing feeling to represent your country. Only a select few of us were chosen to represent the USA and I'm really proud to be a part of this team.

Shekinna Stricklen (Morrilton High School / Morrilton, Ark.)
How does it feel to make the team?
It's an amazing feeling to be a part of the USA team. I am very excited to be here and to be playing with all of these girls.

What is your focus between now and when you return for training camp in July?
I hope to come back in shape like coach (Owens) said. I plan to go back home and run and when I return to training camp I hope to go out there and do what I can to do, to get along with the girls and win a gold medal.

What does it mean to you to wear the red, white and blue and represent the USA?
It's a great honor to represent the USA. I know we are all excited to be here and we are looking forward to representing our country.

Samantha Prahlis (Commack High School / Dix Hills, N.Y.)
What did it feel like when you heard your name and you knew you made the team?
I just feel relieved and really happy to have this opportunity. I was really nervous because I didn't think I was going to make the team.

How do you think trials went?
I didn't shoot well because I was nervous. I just tried my best to set my teammates up to score, and I tried to be vocal on the floor.

What is your focus between now and the start of training camp?
My focus will kind of be the same focus I had during trials. It will be my job to set my teammates up to score. We need to learn to play together as a team if we want to win a gold medal.

Nikki Speed (Marlborough High School / Pasadena, Calif.)
What does it feel like when you hear your name and you know you made the team?
I'm shocked. I didn't expect to make the team. I was blessed to be here and to make the team is a real honor.

What will your focus be between now and the start of training camp?
I'm just focused on doing the workouts and getting ready. The work is not over.

What do you see yourself contributing to this team?
I think I can bring floor leadership to this team - talking, encouraging everyone and helping keep the team focused.

Joslyn Tinkle (Big Sky High School / Missoula, Mont.)
What does it feel like when you hear your name and you know you made the team?
Mine was the last name called, and it was just a great relief. It's truly an exciting feeling, and I'm honored to play for the United States. I am just extremely happy. It's a great opportunity, and I feel blessed to wear the USA jersey.

How do you think trials went?
I was pretty pleased with my play during trials. The competition level here was so much better than what I see at home. The physicality of it was just so much tougher. I knew I had to be strong. I actually got my first black eye, and I'm pretty happy about it. I plan to come back having improved on a bunch of things, especially my post moves, but also being able to step out and shoot.