The future of women’s basketball will embark on Brno, Czechia, beginning on Saturday, for the FIBA Under-17 World Cup. The biennial event will feature 16 teams and conclude on July 19. Team USA is looking to extend its exemplary record of winning six of the seven previous editions. Its lone fault was in 2016, when Ezi Magbegor led Australia to the gold. The U.S. returns 10 of the players who won the gold medal at the Under-16 AmeriCup last summer in Irapuato, Mexico. There it defeated Canada in the gold medal game, just as an older group did in the previous Under-17 World Cup in 2024.
Steve Gomez, a three-time Division II national champion at Lubbock Christian University, also returns as head coach from the Under-16 AmeriCup.
“Ten of the 12 played together last year, so there is some camaraderie,” Gomez told The IX Sports. “They are familiar with each other, not just from last year but as they play all of these circuits. They have a great spirit about them – a determined, fun and enjoyable group.
“The maturity from one year to the next is really big. They have put on some muscle and how they play on balance is a little better. The older you get, the wiser you get playing. I am looking forward to getting this team out there, defending, playing and sharing the ball. The World Cup has some tremendous teams, and it’s not like we are just going there and having fun, we need to get to work. I am looking forward to some high-level competition and how we rise to meet that.
Meet the players
Jazman Bailey, a 5’9 guard from Mansfield, Texas, was a starter on the AmeriCup team. A former junior U.S. champion in the 400 meters, Bailey noted she is focusing on basketball going into her senior year of high school.
“The experience from last year is good, getting to know all of the girls and competing together,” Bailey said. “I thought that would help to have some of that chemistry carry over. Coming off gold, we know that standard and meeting that standard is what is really going to separate us. I play hard, no matter what the outcome, and I make plays for a lot of people on defense. I bring people together and I can be that leader.”
Team USA’s top player to keep an eye on might be Ivanna Wilson Manyacka. The 6’2 forward from Frederick, Md., was the Under-16 AmeriCup MVP and named to the All-Star Five, after leading the competition with 18 points, plus 7.2 rebounds. She also won the 2024 Under-17 World Cup in Leon, Mexico, averaging 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds.
“Ivana Wilson is one of those rare talents,” Gomez said. “A hard worker with a tremendous attitude. There’s not much she can’t do with multiple skills.”
Balance is what carried the team to the AmeriCup victory. Eve Long, a 6’3 forward from Olathe, Kansas, scored 11.8 at the AmeriCup and was also named to the All-Star Five at the event. In addition, Virginia Beach’s 16-year-old Micah Ojo averaged 14.6 points (which were second in the tournament) and grabbed 4.6 rebounds. Tatianna Griffin, a 6’0 guard from Chino, Calif., scored more than 13 points off the bench at the AmeriCup – fourth in the competition.
In addition, Caroline Bradley (6’5 center from Oak Grove, La.), led the U.S. with 8.3 rebounds per game off the bench. Olivia Jones (5’11 guard from Bay Shore, N.Y.) started the AmeriCup with eight points per game, Morghan Reckley (5’7 guard from Fayetteville, Ga.), led the competition with 4.3 assists off the bench, and Arianna Robinson, (a 5’10 forward from Plano, Texas) scored 9.7 off the bench. Nation Williams, from Las Vegas, contributed 7.8 points and 7.7 rebounds. She is the daughter of former WNBA All-Star and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Natalie Williams.
USA Basketball debut
Making their debuts with the national program will be Nya Riak of Madison, Wisc., and Maliya Hunter, from Stanford, Calif.
“My first time at the trials was last year,” the 16-year-old Hunter said. “I became involved (with the national team) by having a really good high school season, then that carried into my sophomore season, picking it up from the time I left off. I just continued working and showed some growth in the AAU season. I am looking forward to playing for my country. It’s exciting to compete on an international level, and I am proud to wear my last name on my back.”
The 6’2 Hunter will be entering her junior season at Archbishop Mitty High School. Her coach, Sue Phillips, previously coached the U.S. to Under-17 World Cup gold medals in 2014 and 2022. Hunter added that since Phillips uses a USA Basketball system, she is familiar with her roles.
“When you come into these settings,” Hunter continued. “Everybody is good, everybody can score. I think it is the little things not everybody strives to do like defending, rebounding and diving on the floor for a loose ball. You might have a good shot, but making that little pass for a great shot (is an area where I can contribute). This puts me with a bigger target on my back. I wasn’t really as known going into this, but making a USA team, I made a name for myself. It’s a privilege, and I am looking forward to these next two years.”
Gomez added that Hunter will fit in with the team easily and that she has a high Basketball IQ.
“She’s willing to do the dirty work that may not get much attention, but she makes each possession easier because she is doing the right things,” he said.
Team USA is in Group A with Australia, Côte d’Ivoire and Latvia. Madison Ryan led Australia to the Under-16 Asia Cup gold medal last year scoring 15.2 points and grabbing 12.8 rebounds.
Group B features Germany, China, Mexico, and Spain. Isabel Hernandez was the Under-16 Women’s EuroBasket MVP for the Spanish team. The point guard scored 19 in the final and averaged 13 points per game. Germany won the bronze medal in the competition.
The host Czechs are in Group C with Japan, Slovenia and Colombia. Japan was third at the Under-16 Asia Cup, behind MVP Miya Takeuchi’s 19.4 points per game. Slovenia’s Veronika Ferjancic and Ota Pozin were in the Under-16 EuroBasket All-Star Five after claiming the silver medal.
Reigning silver medalist Canada anchors Group D with Italy, Egypt and New Zealand. Fatma Abdella was the MVP of Egypt’s championship in the Under-16 AfroBasket.
“Each of these teams might have really changed in the last year since their zone championships,” Gomez added. “So it’s hard to make any predictions until the ball is tipped.”
