United States | |||
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FIBA ranking | 1st | ||
FIBA zone | FIBA Americas | ||
National federation | USA Basketball | ||
Coach | Dori Oldaker | ||
World Championships | |||
Appearances | 4 | ||
Medals |
Gold: 2010, 2012, 2014 Bronze: 2016 |
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Americas Championships | |||
Appearances | 4 | ||
Medals |
Gold: 2009, 2011, 2013 Bronze: 2015 |
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Uniforms | |||
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The USA women's national under-17 basketball team is the women's basketball team, administered by USA Basketball, that represents the United States in international under-17 and under-16 (under age 17 and under age 16) women's basketball competitions, consisting mainly of the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship for Women and FIBA Under-17 World Championship for Women. These events replaced the USA Basketball Women's Youth Development Festival.
The usual sequence is for the U16 team to play in a regional championship in one year, with the top three qualifying teams being invited to a World Championship in the following year, as the U17 team. The first FIBA Americas U16 Championship For Women was held in 2009. The qualifying teams were invited to the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women held in France. The events are on a two-year cycle, with U16 events in 2009 and 2011, and the corresponding U17 events in 2010 and 2012.
The U16 team becomes the U17 team, with largely the same players and coaches, although invitations are not automatic and changes can occur.
The USA team opened the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Mexico City with a game against Brazil on Monday, 13 June. Although the USA team started the game with a 6–0 run, the team from Brazil responded, and held a 34–31 lead at halftime. The USA team held Brazil to eight points in the third period to retake the lead. The USA squad held on to win the first game with a score of 71–54. Mercedes Russell, from Springfield High School in Springfield Oregon, set USA single game records for points and rebounds, with 21 and 15 respectively.
The USA team faced the team from Argentina on the following day. The score was close for the early part of the game, with both teams tied at nine points apiece, then a lead by Argentina at 14–13, and a lead by the USA at 17–16. The USA put on a 17–0 run in the second quarter to take a large lead, and continued on to a win with a score of 82–46. Rebecca Greenwell from Owensboro Catholic High School in Owensboro Kentucky was the leading scorer with 22 points.
The USA team faced Venezuela on the following day, Wednesday. The USA team opened up an early lead, and held the Venezuela team to single digit scoring for the first three periods. The USA team won with a final score of 114–32. Rebecca Greenwell tied with Stephanie Mavunga from Brownsburg High School in Indianapolis Indiana for the scoring lead; each player had 18 points. The win qualified the team for the medal rounds.