News of a Future Terrapin . . .

Today USA Basketball announced the final roster for the USA U18 National Team which will compete in the FIBA Americas U18 Championships to be held July 23-27 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We are happy to report that incoming Maryland Freshman Lynetta Kizer will be wearing USA Red, White and Blue this summer!

Just to be clear, making the cut for this team was no easy feat. 35 of the top young players in the country were invited to participate in the training sessions/tryouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Only 12 made the team. Check out the names of Netta's competition (linked here).

A year, or two, or three from now, most of these young ladies' names will be very familiar to fans of the college game. These are the impact players of tomorrow. In 2004, a couple of players you may have heard of, Laura Harper and Marissa Coleman, were part of the U18 National team that won the gold for the USA in Puerto Rico. But those two Terps weren't the only outstanding players who've represented their county in U18 competition. Tamika Catchings, Alana Beard, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, CandICE Wiggins and CandACE Parker all wore the USA uniform in U18 international tournaments.

Our point, obviously, is that Lynetta's selection is B-I-G! This is a tremendous honor. Congratulations, Yah-Yah (can someone please tell us how she got that nickname?)!! And good luck in Argentina. In the meantime, we'll be counting the days until you make your debut in College Park.

Photo Credit: HoopGurlz.com