12/11/25 05:52:00
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12/11 17:51 CST Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese bring a youth
movement to USA Basketball camp
Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese bring a youth movement to USA
Basketball camp
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) --- There's a youth movement at USA Basketball camp this
weekend with young WNBA players Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese
making their debuts with the national team.
They've been competing against each other in college and the WNBA over the past
few years and Bueckers was happy to have them as teammates again. Many of the
young players had competed together for the U.S. on American youth teams.
They'll get their first taste of the senior national team in a camp at Duke
this weekend.
"It's great competing with them for a change instead of against them and I
think we really bring out the best of each other," Bueckers said. "I think
that's what USA Basketball does. Just so many amazing athletes and women coming
together for one common goal. I think that's always brought out the best of
each other. It's really fun to be able to share the court and be on the same
side for a change."
Bueckers gave the group the nickname "Young and Turnt" --- a phrase used by
youth players in the past to describe their high energy and excitement playing
with USA Basketball.
The trio, along with other senior national newcomers Cameron Brink, Aaliyah
Boston and JuJu Watkins, are the future of USA Basketball with veterans Diana
Taurasi and Sue Bird retired and other longtime fixtures in the lineup nearing
the end of their careers. The U.S. has won eight straight Olympic gold medals
and four consecutive world championships. Olympic veterans Kahleah Copper,
Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum will also be at the three-day camp.
"Obviously there's some vets and there's the older class who have already came
in and won gold medals, and they have that experience," Bueckers said. "So as a
younger group, you want to ask them questions, soak it up, be a sponge. Like,
get their experience and then grow in our experience as well."
The average age of the 17 players at the camp is just over 25. Bueckers said
having so many young players who have been together brings a comfort level.
"There's a familiarity of competing with and against each other," she said. "We
kind of know each other and it's more comfortable that way, too. We're all
coming in and we're having the same expectations of just wanting to go in there
and compete and have fun and bring our vibes in and just be us."
Bird, who is now the managing director for USA Basketball, said this camp will
hopefully give the new players a look at international basketball at its
highest level.
"Really have it be a tone setter," said Bird, who helped the U.S. win five
Olympic gold medals as a player. "What is it to wear USA on your chest? What is
it to be on this team? Whether it's a World Cup qualifier we'll get to in March
or hopefully the gold-medal game of a big competition, you have to set the tone
on Day 1."
Though many invites went out for the camp, Bird said past Olympians such as
A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Napheesa Collier had other
commitments.
"There's a lot of moving parts, that's always how it is for USA Basketball,"
Bird said. "For the young players, it's a great opportunity to get their first
feel and first taste."
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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