Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese attending USA Basketball camp at Duke

[ad_1] There is a youth motion at USA Basketball camp this weekend with younger WNBA gamers Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese making their debuts with the nationwide group.

They have been competing in opposition to one another in school and the WNBA over the previous few years and Bueckers was completely happy to have them as teammates once more. Most of the younger gamers had competed collectively for the U.S. on American youth groups. They will get their first style of the senior nationwide group in a camp at Duke this weekend.

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"It is nice competing with them for a change as an alternative of in opposition to them and I feel we actually convey out the perfect of one another," Bueckers stated. "I feel that is what USA Basketball does. Simply so many superb athletes and girls coming collectively for one widespread objective. I feel that is at all times introduced out the perfect of one another. It is actually enjoyable to have the ability to share the court docket and be on the identical aspect for a change."

Bueckers gave the group the nickname "Younger and Turnt" - a phrase utilized by youth gamers previously to explain their excessive vitality and pleasure taking part in with USA Basketball.

<img alt="Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers works the floor against the Indiana Fever during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Aug. 1, 2025, in Dallas. AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cZH4xuBJ208ZsOC6DsqOLg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/wtvd_articles_701/6fdaf14ab3f247044a7dd0646f0caa13"/> Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers works the ground in opposition to the Indiana Fever in the course of the second half of a WNBA basketball sport Aug. 1, 2025, in Dallas. AP Picture/Julio Cortez, File

The trio, together with different senior nationwide newcomers Cameron Brink, Aliyah Boston and JuJu Watkins, are the way forward for USA Basketball with veterans Diana Taurasi and Sue Fowl retired and different longtime fixtures within the lineup nearing the tip of their careers. The U.S. has gained eight straight Olympic gold medals and 4 consecutive world championships. Olympic veterans Kahleah Copper, Jackie Younger and Kelsey Plum may also be on the three-day camp.

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"Clearly there's some vets and there is the older class who've already got here in and gained gold medals, they usually have that have," Bueckers stated. "In order a youthful group, you wish to ask them questions, soak it up, be a sponge. Like, get their expertise after which develop in our expertise as effectively."

The common age of the 17 gamers on the camp is simply over 25. Bueckers stated having so many younger gamers who've been collectively brings a consolation degree.

<img alt="Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark plays against the Connecticut Sun during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, July 15, 2025, in Boston. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jxv6qlBeQO8mhLxV2tbMkQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/wtvd_articles_701/bf077d01c919954997c549d42d763ee3"/> Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark performs in opposition to the Connecticut Solar in the course of the first half of a WNBA basketball sport, July 15, 2025, in Boston. AP Picture/Michael Dwyer, File

"There is a familiarity of competing with and in opposition to one another," she stated. "We form of know one another and it is extra snug that method, too. We're all coming in and we're having the identical expectations of simply eager to go in there and compete and have enjoyable and produce our vibes in and simply be us."

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Fowl, who's now the managing director for USA Basketball, stated this camp will hopefully give the brand new gamers a take a look at worldwide basketball at its highest degree.

"Actually have it's a tone setter," stated Fowl, who helped the U.S. win 5 Olympic gold medals as a participant. "What's it to put on USA in your chest? What's it to be on this group? Whether or not it is a World Cup qualifier we'll get to in March or hopefully the gold-medal sport of an enormous competitors, it's a must to set the tone on Day 1."

<img alt="Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, left, shoots against Washington Mystics' Kiki Iriafen during the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hGxbEsbET_jH3VzGIn2V0w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/wtvd_articles_701/63290aa17a035c644c8762f4fac4eb58"/> Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, left, shoots in opposition to Washington Mystics' Kiki Iriafen in the course of the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball sport, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. AP Picture/Michael Conroy, File

Although many invitations went out for the camp, Fowl stated previous Olympians resembling A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Napheesa Collier had different commitments.

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"There's a number of transferring elements, that is at all times how it's for USA Basketball," Fowl stated. "For the younger gamers, it is an ideal alternative to get their first really feel and first style."