GOING FOR A GOLD MEDAL: PHS phenom invited to 16U Team USA basketball trials

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Pleasant Home’s River Baldwin has been selected as 1-of-141 girls selected to take part in the 2017 USA Basketball Women’s 16U National Team trials on May 25-29 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Standing at 6-feet-5 inches tall, Baldwin was the tallest player invited to the trials.

In addition to 35 athletes who accepted invitations from the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Committee, the trials roster also features 107 applicant athletes.

Players eligible for the 2017 USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team must be U.S. citizens born on or after Jan. 1, 2001.

“USA Basketball is very excited to welcome these players to Colorado Springs, and we look forward to a great weekend of competition,” said Carol Callan, USA Basketball Women’s National Team director and chair of the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Committee.

The USA will compete in the 2017 FIBA Americas U16 Championship from June 7-11 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it will be in the hunt for a gold medal as well as a berth into the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, which is awarded to the top four finishing teams.

After four days of trials, 15-18 finalists are expected to be selected on May 29 and will remain in Colorado Springs for training camp. The 12-member roster for the 2017 USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team will be announced prior to the team’s departure for the competition on June 4.

Twenty-one players with previous USA Basketball experience will attend trials.