USA Women's U19 World Championship Team Begins Training Camp

July 9, 2009 - Colorado Springs, Colo.

Kelsey Bone (Photo: Steven Maikoski / USA Basketball)

With the roster for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship set, 12 athletes arrived in Colorado Springs on July 9, where they will train through July 17. They will then depart for Bangkok, Thailand, where the two-time defending gold-medalists will try to make it three straight golds at the U19 Worlds.

The team will train twice a day, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on July 10 and 11. The team has one practice scheduled for July 12, at 10:00 a.m., before resuming two-a-days at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from July 13-16. The U.S. will train July 18-22 in Thailand prior to the July 23 start of the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship.

The 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship features 16 national teams comprised of athletes 19-years-old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1990) that qualified through their FIBA zone tournaments.

The 16 teams have been drawn into four preliminary round pools of four teams each, and the USA has been placed into Group D with China, Mali and Spain. Group A features Argentina, Australia, France and South Korea; Group B includes Brazil, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Thailand; while Group C includes Canada, Japan, Russia and Tunisia.

The U.S. is slated to open preliminary round play against Spain on July 23, followed by China on July 24 and Mali on July 25. The top three finishing teams in each preliminary round group will advance to the July 27-29 second round, the quarterfinals will be played on July 31, semifinal action is scheduled for Aug. 1 and the gold medal will be contested on Aug. 2.

USABasketball.com took a few minutes to catch up with a few of the veterans: Kelsey Bone (Dulles H.S. / Stafford, Texas); Skylar Diggins (Washington H.S. / South Bend, Ind.); and Kelly Faris (Heritage Christian H.S. / Plainfield, Ind.); and a few of the rookies: LaSondra Barrett (Louisiana State / Jackson, Miss.); and Destiny Williams (Benton Harbor H.S. / Benton Harbor, Mich.), to see what they're thoughts are on the upcoming competition.

Kelsey Bone
How did it feel to find out you had made the final roster?
Anytime you can be affiliated with USA Basketball it's just an honor to have the three letters across your chest. This one is really special because we're back at it again and trying to win a world championship. Last year we qualified, so for us to be able to have a different 12 but also have some of the same players is an exciting experience to have in a different country.

You all didn't have a close game in the FIBA Americas Championship last year, which will almost certainly change in the World Championship. How important will it be to learn to deal with adversity?
It's very important. Last year, I don't think we had a game that we won by less than 20 points. There is going to be more competition this year with the Lithuanian team, Australia, Russia, and all these powerhouses around the world. It's going to be a lot harder now playing the European teams that are just as powerful as we are. Now we really have to focus on the little things and knowing that we have to come out and play because we could lose at any moment.

People make a big deal about the differences in international basketball. How much does it benefit this team to bring back five players who have already experienced it?
It's really important, because playing internationally last year was a big wake up call. Post players overseas aren't regular post players like here in the States. They do things a little differently. You have to get use to things like the 24 second shot clock and the backcourt violation, so for us to have people that have already experienced that and know how to work under pressure is really important. It makes it that much easier to get the girls on the same page as us.

Skylar Diggins

How did it feel to find out you had made the final roster?
I was excited. There were a couple of girls that got injured, and I know Sarah and Pepper, and I just wish them a speedy recovery. At the same time, now we all know it's time for business. Everybody is focused today and I'm just trying to come in and be a vocal leader because I have that experience from last year. I was excited to get down here and get started.

How is it different finding out you had made the team this year compared to last year?
You kind of know what to expect. This is my fourth time working with coach Owens and coach Fennelly. You kind of know what they want and their style. You know how this (training camp) goes and you don't forget the things you learned last year. It really just helps you grow and you understand how this process goes now.

People make a big deal about the differences in international basketball. How much does it benefit this team to bring back five players who have already experienced it?
It's definitely important. We can help elevate everyone's game and we know that everyone is capable and belongs on this team. We just know little tricks and perks to international travel and what it's going to be like. We can help get our teammates on the same page to understand everything and know that as the USA we have the biggest targets on our backs. As far as representing the USA, I don't' think any of these girls will be anything less than classy, so we're just excited to get started.

As a team, what do you need to focus on immediately in training camp?
I believe that coach wants us to be an up-tempo team, so we're going to push the ball and crash the offensive glass. She really stressed defensive intensity and I think our defense will lead to our offense. We want to get steals and get out in transition, we want to score buckets and push the tempo.

Kelly Faris
How did it feel to find out you had made the final roster?
Yeah, it was a little different. Coming into (training camp), it was a little different than last year because then we knew we were on the team. I had to prepare myself a little more this year, because I didn't know if I was going to get cut or not. There is obviously great competition out there. Finding out before hand was good, but I was also disappointed for the girls that got hurt. They're good players and it's unfortunate. It's exciting to know that you are going to represent you're the USA.

People make a big deal about the differences in international basketball. How much does it benefit this team to bring back five players who have already experienced it?
I think it's really important to be able to have girls on here that have the experience. Honestly, it's helped me out, knowing what I'm getting myself into. Basketball is basketball. It's going to be different everywhere. You're going to have different refs that call the game differently, and we just have to go out there and play as a team, execute and work on what we do in practice. International ball is different, but I think our biggest thing is executing and if we do that we can be successful.

Is there anything in particular you focused on individually between trials and coming back to training camp?
In general, I would say conditioning. I tried to work on that a lot more. I was glad to be able to get out of school beforehand just so I could work extra on that. I also tried to get a lot of shots up and improve my shooting.

LaSondra Barrett

How did it feel to find out you had made the final roster?
I was ecstatic. This is the biggest honor I have had as far as my basketball career. I'm just happy to be a part of this group, happy to represent the USA and hopefully go out and win the gold.

Is there anything in particular you focused on individually between trials and coming back to training camp?
Yeah, just being more consistent with my shot. Also playing defense and having an up-tempo game. They're (the coaches) really pushing having an up-tempo game so I just really worked on training, sprits and just pressuring the ball defensively.

With that being said, is defense the most important task as a team in training camp?
Yeah, that's one of the things they mentioned. Just one of the aspects, it's not just defense. There are other parts, but defense plays a major part. If we can get our defense going, than the offense will come willingly.

What are you going to try and bring to the team?
Just hope and heart. Everyone is pretty much the same out here as far as talent goes. There are really no superstars here so we just need to come together as a team collectively. I just play my role of being enthused, if I'm out on the court showing effort, and if I'm on the bench cheering on my teammates.

Destiny Williams
How did it feel to find out you had made the final roster?
It was a great feeling to be a part of USA Basketball. It's a big opportunity for me, and I'm very proud of it.

Is there anything in particular you focused on individually between trials and coming back to training camp?
Oh definitely. My shooting, getting in shape, weightlifting; I did everything. Defense, like I said I would. I had to work on everything and I did. Rebounding, boxing out, everything, and you can tell the improvement.

As a team, what do you need to focus on immediately in training camp?
Defense and talking. Rebounding, boxing out and pushing the ball. We need to be up-tempo all game, and like coach Owens said we need to have our opponents shoot 30 percent every game.

What are you going to try and bring to the team?
Defense, talking, rebounding and boxing out. I just want to do the best I can and do whatever the team needs.