Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

There are some that we consider won't be coming back (Smith, Griffith, Staley). There are those that might stay (Swoopes, Johnson, Leslie). There are those that are young enough to keep going (Taurasi, Riley, Cash, Bird, Catchings, Thompson).

Two Questions for the Board:

1. Who do you think will be on the team?
2. Who do you think will be starting?

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

It is hard to predict what will happen in four years, but your assessment looks pretty good. One person I would thing could be back as well is DeLisha Milton - her husband's name. She would have made a difference this year.

As for the rest, I am sure some of the options are still in the college ranks. If Pee Wee doesn't return, Sue will need a back up. If Lindsay Whalen keeps playing like she has, she will be in.

Alana Beard will probably be a name to consider also.

The world is getting better around us and we will need to have our best to continue our success.

Gotta go play poker.

ipil-ipil · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 48 Location: Florida

Is there any particular reason why Katie Smith won't be back? Staley is definitely out because she is retiring. Griffith will be 40, so she is a good candidate to go as well. Leslie will be 36 and she looked a little slow compared to LJ, so I don't know about her either. Swoopes will fence-sit but it would be nice to have her back.

The others are likely candidates to come back, many of them as part of the core team.

USA Basketball should develop the following in international play: Ohlde, Whalen, Beard and Powell, maybe even Hayden (depending on how she develops in the coming years). Milton-Jones certainly is a solid candidate if she recovers well from her injuries.

The Aussie front line is getting formidable: Jackson, Batkovic and Taylor, who are all fairly young. The Russians are tall and skilled (though not as athletic) and they didn't even have Abrosimova with them.

The USA backcourt will be solid for many years to come (Augustus will eventually follow in the line), so preparations for replacing Leslie (probable retirement) and Griffith (almost certain) has to be made. The other candidates for this year like Snow are not strong enough to contain that Aussie pair of Jackson and Batkovic. Strength and speed there for the US, with good offensive moves plus a Griffith-like tenacity for rebounding, would help a lot against these two teams. Accurate outside shooting in pressure situations is a premium in international play (hence, Smith should return), so all of these young ones had better develop that skill (Beard, especially).

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

Quote: Is there any particular reason why Katie Smith won't be back?

She may come back, but all signs point to Katie moving on, possibly into a career in dentistry.

If I were to choose players coming back from this team, I would say:

Pee-Wee
Diana
Sue
Swin
Ruth
Tina
Lisa
Tamika

Give or take one or two.

We will need three point shooters, as you said (already have one in Diana). Tamika, Tina, Pee-Wee, and Sue can all hit them, but they're not their speciality. Alana will spend time at the 2 and 3 (I'm fairly certain she'll be on the team). The other players that could be in the backcourt are Seimone Augustus and Nikki Teasley. I wouldn't be surprised to see Delisha Milton-Jones on the team...it's unfortunate she couldn't be here this year.

whiterose · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 33

She may not be quite ready by 2008 but here's a name to consider - Elena Delle Donne. She's a 6-5 ninth grader from Delaware. I watched her win the 14-and-under AAU National Tournament this summer. She's the best female player I've ever seen.

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

I have heard her name, definitely. Just a small correction...she is 6'3".

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Height inflation is not a problem. Remember Maria is 7 foot :lol: