Verhulst Named to 2021 USA Women’s U19 World Cup Team
May 17, 2021 | Women's Basketball
Payton Verhulst is one of nine athletes to make the 2021 USA U19 World Cup Team during trials.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 17, 2021) – University of Louisville guard Payton Verhulst is one of nine athletes and seven USA Basketball gold medalists to be named to the 2021 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Cup Team following three days of trials, May 14-16 in Denver.
Additionally, five finalists will return to the USA's training camp, which begins on July 19 at a site to be announced, in hopes of securing one of the remaining three roster spots. Selections were announced by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Selection Committee.
The 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup will be contested Aug. 7-19 in Debrecen, Hungary. The final 12-member team will be named prior to the departure for Europe, where it will continue training for the FIBA U19 World Cup.
The nine 2021 USA U19 World Cup Team members are Lauren Betts (Grandview H.S./ Centennial, Colo.); Sonia Citron (The Ursuline School/Scarsdale, N.Y.); Caitlin Clark (Iowa/West Des Moines, Iowa); Sania Feagin (Forest Park H.S./Ellenwood, Ga.); Azzi Fudd (St. John's College H.S. (D.C.)/ Arlington, Va.); Diamond Johnson (North Carolina State/Philadelphia, Pa.); Te-hina Paopao (Oregon/Oceanside, Calif.); Jewel Spear (Wake Forest/The Colony, Texas); and Payton Verhulst (Bishop Meige H.S./DeSoto, Kan).
The five finalists include Amari DeBerry (Williamsville South H.S./Buffalo, N.Y.); Angel Reese (Maryland/ Baltimore, Md.); Lauren Ware (Arizona/Bismarck, N.D.); Maddy Westbeld (Notre Dame/Kettering, Ohio); and Jersey Wolfenbarger (Northside H.S./Fort Smith, Ark.).
Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens, born on or after Jan. 1, 2002.
"It was a very spirited camp and fun for the committee to watch," said Jennifer Rizzotti, chair of the selection committee and Connecticut Sun president. "I feel like the players did a phenomenal job of playing for each other, which made the final selection really difficult. Because some players were unable to attend the camp, our final decision to have finalists gives some flexibility to filling out the last roster spots.
"The committee is excited about the group of players we're giving Cori and her staff to be able to go to Hungary and compete for another gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup."
"I'm very thankful that I'm not having to make the decisions for the team," said Cori Close, USA U19 and UCLA head coach. "I'm really pleased with the versatility of this group, with the ability to shoot the ball, with the physicality of it. So, I'm excited to get this group back together to start practicing, because this is a really hard tournament to win and we're going to have to dig deep to do it. I think the committee selected a group that can get it done."
Included among the 14 athletes who will attend training camp in July are seven athletes who were college freshmen in 2020-21, six current high school seniors who will matriculate to college in the fall and another one who is a high school junior from the Class of 2022.
In 2019, Verhulst claimed MVP honors after leading the USA U16 National Team to gold. She started all six games and averaged 14.5 points and 2.8 rebounds, leading the USA to a perfect 6-0 record.
She also participated in the 2019 USA Basketball 3X3 U18 National Championship and took part in trials for the 2018 USA U17 World Cup team.
College head coaches Aaron Johnston from South Dakota State University and Joni Taylor from the University of Georgia are assistant coaches for this year's U19 squad.
Featuring U19 teams from 16 nations, the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup qualified nations include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, host Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mali, Russia, South Korea, Spain and the USA.
The USA will open play against Italy on Aug. 7, followed by Australia on Aug. 8 and cap preliminary play against Egypt on Aug. 10. Times will be announced by FIBA at a later date.
Reigning FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist, USA women's teams have won eight gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal while compiling an 86-13 overall record in U19 World Cup play since the event was launched in 1985. Even more impressive, the USA has posted a 62-3 record and won seven of the past eight U19 golds since 2005.
In addition to Rizzotti, the USA Junior National Team Selection Committee includes Temple University head coach Tonya Cardoza; 2008 Olympic gold medalist and Duke University head coach Kara Lawson; and North Carolina State University head coach Wes Moore.
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five, 3x3 and esports international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world-ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.
Connect with USA Basketball at USAB.com and on Facebook (USABasketball and USABYouth), Twitter (@usabasketball, @USABYouth, @USAB3x3, @usabgaming), Instagram (@USABasketball, @USAB3x3, @USABYouth, @USABgaming) and YouTube (usabasketball).
2021 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Cup Team Members
FIRST LAST POS HGT WGT *AGE YOG SCHOOL/HOMETOWN
Lauren Betts C 6-7 210 17 2022 Grandview H.S./*Stanford/Centennial, CO
Sonia Citron G 6-1 160 17 2021 The Ursuline School/*Notre Dame/Scarsdale, NY
Caitlin Clark G 6-0 150 19 2024 Iowa/West Des Moines, IA
Sania Feagin F 6-3 175 18 2021 Forest Park H.S./*South Carolina/Ellenwood, GA
Azzi Fudd G 5-11 165 18 2021 St. John's College H.S. (DC)/*UConn/Arlington, VA
Diamond Johnson G 5-5 150 19 2024 NC State/Philadelphia, PA
Te-hina Paopao G 5-9 160 18 2024 Oregon/Oceanside, CA
Jewel Spear G 5-10 160 19 2024 Wake Forest/The Colony, TX
Payton Verhulst G 6-1 150 17 2021 Bishop Meige H.S./*Louisville/KS
2021 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Cup Team Finalists
FIRST LAST POS HGT WGT *AGE YOG SCHOOL/HOMETOWN
Amari DeBerry C 6-5 195 17 2021 Williamsville South H.S./*Connecticut/Buffalo, NY
Angel Reese G/F 6-2 180 19 2024 Maryland/Baltimore, MD
Lauren Ware F 6-5 195 18 2024 Arizona/Bismarck, ND
Maddie Westbeld F 6-3 175 19 2024 Notre Dame/Kettering, OH
Jersey Wolfenbarger G/F 6-5 167 18 2021 Northside H.S./*Arkansas/Fort Smith, AR
Head Coach: Cori Close, UCLA
Assistant Coach: Aaron Johnston, South Dakota State University
Assistant Coach: Joni Taylor, University of Georgia
*Ages listed are as of the final day of trials, May 16, 2021
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
Additionally, five finalists will return to the USA's training camp, which begins on July 19 at a site to be announced, in hopes of securing one of the remaining three roster spots. Selections were announced by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Selection Committee.
The 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup will be contested Aug. 7-19 in Debrecen, Hungary. The final 12-member team will be named prior to the departure for Europe, where it will continue training for the FIBA U19 World Cup.
The nine 2021 USA U19 World Cup Team members are Lauren Betts (Grandview H.S./ Centennial, Colo.); Sonia Citron (The Ursuline School/Scarsdale, N.Y.); Caitlin Clark (Iowa/West Des Moines, Iowa); Sania Feagin (Forest Park H.S./Ellenwood, Ga.); Azzi Fudd (St. John's College H.S. (D.C.)/ Arlington, Va.); Diamond Johnson (North Carolina State/Philadelphia, Pa.); Te-hina Paopao (Oregon/Oceanside, Calif.); Jewel Spear (Wake Forest/The Colony, Texas); and Payton Verhulst (Bishop Meige H.S./DeSoto, Kan).
The five finalists include Amari DeBerry (Williamsville South H.S./Buffalo, N.Y.); Angel Reese (Maryland/ Baltimore, Md.); Lauren Ware (Arizona/Bismarck, N.D.); Maddy Westbeld (Notre Dame/Kettering, Ohio); and Jersey Wolfenbarger (Northside H.S./Fort Smith, Ark.).
Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens, born on or after Jan. 1, 2002.
"It was a very spirited camp and fun for the committee to watch," said Jennifer Rizzotti, chair of the selection committee and Connecticut Sun president. "I feel like the players did a phenomenal job of playing for each other, which made the final selection really difficult. Because some players were unable to attend the camp, our final decision to have finalists gives some flexibility to filling out the last roster spots.
"The committee is excited about the group of players we're giving Cori and her staff to be able to go to Hungary and compete for another gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup."
"I'm very thankful that I'm not having to make the decisions for the team," said Cori Close, USA U19 and UCLA head coach. "I'm really pleased with the versatility of this group, with the ability to shoot the ball, with the physicality of it. So, I'm excited to get this group back together to start practicing, because this is a really hard tournament to win and we're going to have to dig deep to do it. I think the committee selected a group that can get it done."
Included among the 14 athletes who will attend training camp in July are seven athletes who were college freshmen in 2020-21, six current high school seniors who will matriculate to college in the fall and another one who is a high school junior from the Class of 2022.
In 2019, Verhulst claimed MVP honors after leading the USA U16 National Team to gold. She started all six games and averaged 14.5 points and 2.8 rebounds, leading the USA to a perfect 6-0 record.
She also participated in the 2019 USA Basketball 3X3 U18 National Championship and took part in trials for the 2018 USA U17 World Cup team.
College head coaches Aaron Johnston from South Dakota State University and Joni Taylor from the University of Georgia are assistant coaches for this year's U19 squad.
Featuring U19 teams from 16 nations, the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup qualified nations include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, host Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mali, Russia, South Korea, Spain and the USA.
The USA will open play against Italy on Aug. 7, followed by Australia on Aug. 8 and cap preliminary play against Egypt on Aug. 10. Times will be announced by FIBA at a later date.
Reigning FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist, USA women's teams have won eight gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal while compiling an 86-13 overall record in U19 World Cup play since the event was launched in 1985. Even more impressive, the USA has posted a 62-3 record and won seven of the past eight U19 golds since 2005.
In addition to Rizzotti, the USA Junior National Team Selection Committee includes Temple University head coach Tonya Cardoza; 2008 Olympic gold medalist and Duke University head coach Kara Lawson; and North Carolina State University head coach Wes Moore.
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five, 3x3 and esports international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world-ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.
Connect with USA Basketball at USAB.com and on Facebook (USABasketball and USABYouth), Twitter (@usabasketball, @USABYouth, @USAB3x3, @usabgaming), Instagram (@USABasketball, @USAB3x3, @USABYouth, @USABgaming) and YouTube (usabasketball).
2021 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Cup Team Members
FIRST LAST POS HGT WGT *AGE YOG SCHOOL/HOMETOWN
Lauren Betts C 6-7 210 17 2022 Grandview H.S./*Stanford/Centennial, CO
Sonia Citron G 6-1 160 17 2021 The Ursuline School/*Notre Dame/Scarsdale, NY
Caitlin Clark G 6-0 150 19 2024 Iowa/West Des Moines, IA
Sania Feagin F 6-3 175 18 2021 Forest Park H.S./*South Carolina/Ellenwood, GA
Azzi Fudd G 5-11 165 18 2021 St. John's College H.S. (DC)/*UConn/Arlington, VA
Diamond Johnson G 5-5 150 19 2024 NC State/Philadelphia, PA
Te-hina Paopao G 5-9 160 18 2024 Oregon/Oceanside, CA
Jewel Spear G 5-10 160 19 2024 Wake Forest/The Colony, TX
Payton Verhulst G 6-1 150 17 2021 Bishop Meige H.S./*Louisville/KS
2021 USA Basketball Women's U19 World Cup Team Finalists
FIRST LAST POS HGT WGT *AGE YOG SCHOOL/HOMETOWN
Amari DeBerry C 6-5 195 17 2021 Williamsville South H.S./*Connecticut/Buffalo, NY
Angel Reese G/F 6-2 180 19 2024 Maryland/Baltimore, MD
Lauren Ware F 6-5 195 18 2024 Arizona/Bismarck, ND
Maddie Westbeld F 6-3 175 19 2024 Notre Dame/Kettering, OH
Jersey Wolfenbarger G/F 6-5 167 18 2021 Northside H.S./*Arkansas/Fort Smith, AR
Head Coach: Cori Close, UCLA
Assistant Coach: Aaron Johnston, South Dakota State University
Assistant Coach: Joni Taylor, University of Georgia
*Ages listed are as of the final day of trials, May 16, 2021
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
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