COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - Reigning FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup champions USA have made a statement of intent by confirming their final roster for this year's edition.
After a camp in Colorado Springs, the 12 ballers who will be tasked with continuing their nation's dominance of the competition have been selected and the list is headlined by Jerzy Robinson and McKenna Woliczko.
The pair both made the All-Star Five at the FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship 2023, with Robinson landing MVP honors after some stellar work, including 24 points and 14 boards in the title game against Canada.
Woliczko was also highly impressive, shooting the lights out during the tournament and claiming 11.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per outing.
There are seven returnees in total from the team that stood on top of the podium last year in Yucatan.
Jacy Abii, Addison Bjorn, Lanie Grant, Lola Lampley and Hailee Swain are also on board and ready for a gold rush on Mexican soil.
There will be five debutantes, with Alexandra Eschmeyer, Jordyn Palmer, Emilee Skinner, Kaleena Smith and Ivana Wilson-Manyacka all ready for their first major tournament wearing USA jerseys.
Coached by New York University playcaller, Meg Barber, she will be responsible for taking USA to a possible sixth gold medal, with the champions having won every edition with the exception of 2016 in Zaragoza when they had to settle for an unexpected bronze.
The Americans hold a staggering 40-1 all-time record at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup and will play in Group C against Australia, Puerto Rico and Croatia.
FIBA