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PHOENIX ― WNBA stars A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu are excited to see college basketball players JuJu Watkins and Mikayla Blakes at Team USA Basketball training camp.
"Just an opportunity to have your name on this list, in this pool of players, it means that you're doing something right," Wilson said.
"It's super cool to see them want to be here, want to learn, want to grow, that's the beautiful thing about this next generation and this group of youth that we have is they wanna be sponges. And I remember being in their spot. So, I'm proud of them. I'm glad that they're both here to have an opportunity to play alongside us."
"It's amazing for them to show up," Ionescu said. "Obviously, it's nerve-racking. You're young. Your head's probably spinning. ... The pro-style game's different, but I feel like that's the fun part, and that's the cool part about USA Basketball. You always kind of bring in a few young players to be able to learn and be apart of the system. It starts at that age, and even younger. So, I'm happy they're here."
Both Wilson and Ionescu spoke on what an honor it is for such young players to have the chance to play with "USA" across their chests, and even offered up advice for Watkins and Blakes.
"Have fun, and understand that you're here for a reason, and it's not by chance. USA (Basketball) holds themselves to a really high standard of who they choose to be apart of this and represent USA Basketball. I remember telling Mikalya (Blakes), 'Congratualtions. It's an honor. to be here,'" Ionescu said.
"Just be a sponge. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to step into the drills first. That's always been something that I wish I did when I was younger. But you really don't get that feel, because, I mean, you're standing here amongst giants. So I get it. But be a sponge. Enjoy this moment. Not a lot of people get this invite, so embrace it."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA veterans mentor college stars at Team USA training camp
Continue reading...
"Just an opportunity to have your name on this list, in this pool of players, it means that you're doing something right," Wilson said.
"It's super cool to see them want to be here, want to learn, want to grow, that's the beautiful thing about this next generation and this group of youth that we have is they wanna be sponges. And I remember being in their spot. So, I'm proud of them. I'm glad that they're both here to have an opportunity to play alongside us."
"It's amazing for them to show up," Ionescu said. "Obviously, it's nerve-racking. You're young. Your head's probably spinning. ... The pro-style game's different, but I feel like that's the fun part, and that's the cool part about USA Basketball. You always kind of bring in a few young players to be able to learn and be apart of the system. It starts at that age, and even younger. So, I'm happy they're here."
Both Wilson and Ionescu spoke on what an honor it is for such young players to have the chance to play with "USA" across their chests, and even offered up advice for Watkins and Blakes.
"Have fun, and understand that you're here for a reason, and it's not by chance. USA (Basketball) holds themselves to a really high standard of who they choose to be apart of this and represent USA Basketball. I remember telling Mikalya (Blakes), 'Congratualtions. It's an honor. to be here,'" Ionescu said.
"Just be a sponge. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to step into the drills first. That's always been something that I wish I did when I was younger. But you really don't get that feel, because, I mean, you're standing here amongst giants. So I get it. But be a sponge. Enjoy this moment. Not a lot of people get this invite, so embrace it."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA veterans mentor college stars at Team USA training camp
Continue reading...
