Bria Hartley
Q: Did you think you had played well at trials?
A: “I thought I played OK. I didn’t think I played my best basketball ever. I’m just really happy that the committee picked me. I’m really excited that I was good enough to make the team.’’

Q: Were you nervous this morning?
A: “I was a little nervous. Even though I have made the team before, you don’t want to come in here thinking, ‘Oh, I’m definitely going to make the team.’ You have to stay humble, but you also want to be confident, thinking you could possibly make the team. You have to come out and play basketball the way you know how to.’’

Q: What do you think the committee saw in you?
A: “I think it was versatility, because I am a combo-guard. I can play a little bit of the 1 and the 2, and I can make sure all of my teammates are involved. Also, just talking and encouraging, that’s the main thing I like to do.’’

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis
Q: Were you nervous this morning?
A: “I was a little nervous because I definitely did not shoot very well during this whole tryout, and that’s kind of my job. I tried to do a lot of other stuff, like rebounding, hustling hard on defense. Luckily, it worked.’’

Q: How does it feel to make your fourth USA Basketball Team?
A: “It’s still special; every time is special. Now it’s really cool because I will be playing with girls that I have played against in college. A lot of them, Odyssey (Sims of Baylor) and Tricia (Liston of Duke) and a lot of them I watched before I even got to college and said, `They’re really good.’ Now I get to play with them, so it’s really cool.’’

Rich

The team will now regroup for training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center June 25-July 1. The World University Games women’s basketball competition will be held in Kazan, Russia July 8-15.

The U.S. will meet Belarus July 8 (12:30 p.m. EDT), Czech Republic July 9 (12:30 p.m. EDT) and Brazil July 10 (4:30 a.m. EDT) in preliminary round play in Group B. The top two teams in each of the four pools will advance to the medal quarterfinals July 12. The semifinals will be held July 13 and the gold medal game will be July 15.

The U.S. will be looking to win its third straight gold medal at the event (ninth overall).

Rich

Moriah Jefferson
Q: How did you feel when you heard your name called for making the USA U19 Team?
A: “Coming out here, you’re playing with a bunch of great people and everybody is doing their best and going their hardest and you never really know until the last second when they call your name.’’

Q: You’re on the U19 team that includes the coaches and five players from last year’s U18 team, how is that going to be helpful this year?
A: “It will help a lot because we already know what coach (USA U19 head coach Kate Meier) expects and we know a lot of the plays, so we can help the younger guys, and the people that just came in we can show what it is like to be on this team.’’

Q: What is your role going to be on this team, what can you bring to this year’s team?
A: “Leadership, point guard experience and trying to get everybody into their position. And also defense, that’s one of the main things I take pride in, so I can come out and try to push the tempo a little bit with my defense.’’

Q: What is it that brings you back to USA Basketball each summer?
A: “I just love it. You come out here and get a lot of great experience, you get in shape with the altitude, you meet a lot of great people and that’s just the basketball part of it and you want to represent your country, but outside of that you meet a lot of great people and have a great time while you’re here.’’

Breanna Stewart
Q: This is your sixth USA Basketball team, what keeps you motivated to keep coming back?
A: “USA Basketball is the best thing about my summer. That’s what I look forward to, creating new experiences with new people. Sometimes they’re with the same people, but it’s just really fun. And I enjoy going for the gold medal.’’

Q: At the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship you were one of the youngest players on the team. How will your role change with this team?
A: “It’s funny how my role is changing, because this is my second U19 team. Last time I was one of the younger ones. This time I’m one of the older ones, and it’s weird. But, I have to be a leader because I’ve been in these situations before and some people haven’t. I have to help show them the ropes.’’

Q: What does it mean for you to represent your country in this manner?
A: “It’s an honor. I appreciate everything USA Basketball has done for me in letting me keep coming back to try out again and again, and continuing to go for gold medals. I don’t think there’s anything else you can ask for.’’

Q: What can you teach some of the younger players about USA Basketball, both on and off the court?
A: “USA Basketball on the court, obviously you’re going to go out, you’re going to play your heart out, you’re going to leave everything on the court because this is 12 people who are considered at the top of high school and college basketball for their age group. Teams are coming after us, and they want to beat us. We have to know that every team’s going to play us the best they can, and we need to just keep our composure. Off the court, you really have to represent the United States and show people in other countries who we are, create our own image of ourselves. We need to try to change their minds about the United States in a positive way.’’

Morgan Tuck
Q: How does it feel to be returning to USA Basketball for another chance at a gold medal?
A: “It feels really great. Every time just gets better and better. We have a different group. We have a couple I’ve played with before with USA Basketball, but I think it’s more exciting because we have a lot of new people on this team.’’

Q: At the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship you were one of the youngest players on the team. How will your role change with this team?
A: “Definitely being more of a leader. When I was on the team the last time I just tried to fit in and try to make my mark. Now I need to take more of a leadership role and try to make sure that the younger players who haven’t been here before understand the international game and they feel comfortable with it.’’

Q: What can you contribute to this team?
A: “I think I can help with the low post presence. We are a really big team and I’m the smallest post, but I feel that I can use my physicalness around the basket. I think I can be a good leader out on the court.’’

Q: You already have three gold medals in international competition. Can you describe the feeling of winning a gold medal and why it keeps you coming back for more?
A: “It’s a great feeling. It makes you feel like you’re the best in the world. When I get up there, I think of the pictures of the Olympic team when they’re on the podium, and that’s my dream one day. I feel like I’m slowly getting closer. I just love coming back. You get to play with the best players in the country. You play with people at school and your same team, but to come out in the summer, get together, practice a little bit and then go play, it’s a great feeling.’’

A’ja Wilson
Q: What kind of emotions were you feeling when you heard your name called as one of the USA U19 World Championship Team members?
A: “Oh my gosh! It was a great feeling. At first I was shocked, to tell the truth because this weekend I felt that I had the roughest time. I did not feel that I played really well. But, when my name was called and my named being Wilson, it was the last name. I was just like, ‘uh oh.’ And then finally she said A’ja Wilson, and I was like, ‘oh my gosh, this is such an honor.’ I’m really excited.’’

Q: What do you think stood out to the committee this weekend, what do you bring to the team?
A: “I guess, me being so young, I kind of bring the energy sometimes. I’m not saying that everybody else is old, but I guess I can bring the energy. We have height, of course, and then we also have versatility. I think I also bring those things to the team, and being a good teammate.’’

Q: What does it mean for you to be able to represent your country?
A: “It means a lot. It really does. I’ve watched these girls on TV. I’ve gone to some of their games, and just to play with them, it means a lot. Playing the sport that I love and playing for the country that I love, it’s just a great feeling to have.’’

Q: Are you excited about learning from the coaching staff and the rest of your teammates?
A: “Definitely I am. I’m very excited.’’

Rich

The team will reconvene for training camp July 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. It will then play in a tournament hosted by Spain July 11-14 in Lanzarote, Canary Islands before competing in the FIBA U-19 World Championship in Lithuania July 18-28 where it will be looking to win its fifth straight gold medal at the event (sixth overall).

The U.S. will meet Lithuania July 18, China July 19 and Mali July 20 preliminary round play in Group D.
The top three teams in each group will advance to the second round (July 22-24). The teams finishing in the top four in their group after the second round will qualify for the quarterfinals July 26.

The semifinals are scheduled for July 27. The gold medal game is July 28.

Rich

This week, though, a sense of normalcy has been restored. Mosqueda-Lewis again finds herself associated with USA Basketball competing for a roster spot at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Along with fellow UConn All-American Bria Hartley, she is one of 33 players at the World University Games trials vying for 12 roster spots.

“It’s nice,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “I missed it last year and it’s cool to be around all of these good athletes and be able to see some of my friends from other teams and just playing against a lot of competition.’’

Mosqueda-Lewis is seeking to win her fourth gold medal this summer with USA Basketball. She has already won gold at the 2011 U-19, 2010 U-17 and 2009 U-16 championships.

Another gold medal would only add to what has already been an exceptional year for Mosqueda-Lewis. The Huskies rolled through the NCAA tournament, winning six games by a margin of 34.7 points, to earn their record-tying eighth national championship.

“It was cool just being able to finally get it together and be one unit at the end of the year,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “It took us a while to get there and it did take us until we actually got to tournament time. So it was nice to end on the right note, especially for our seniors.

“I believed that we had it in us. But it’s hard when you don’t see it all season and a few guys are up and down. But for us to finally get it going and make it consistent and have a change in our mindset towards the end of the year that’s when everybody knew. As soon as that happened we were like, `We got this.’’’

Mosqueda-Lewis averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the NCAA tournament and was named to the Final Four all-tournament team. This capped a career-season that saw her average a team-high 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.2 minutes, earning a spot on the 10-player WBCA All-America team.

She also led the nation in 3-point shooting percentage (.492) and made 3-pointers (118, a team single-season record).

Here is how Mosqueda-Lewis summed up the season that she had …

“I think a good word for it would be `consistent,’’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “That’s what I tried to be the whole time for my team is consistent. A consistent rebounder. A consistent scorer. Just make sure that I was doing whatever the team needed as much as possible.’’

So what is the next step for Mosqueda-Lewis heading into the final two years of her career? It’s simple. She wants to assume a greater leadership role and she wants to continue to improve.

“There’s a lot to work on,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “Every aspect of my game can go up more than what it is right now. And with the coach (Geno Auriemma) that I have there’s never any rest. Dead is a state of mind to him.’’

Here is what Mosqueda-Lewis has seen from Hartley this week at the World University Games trials …

“Bria looks really good,’’ Mosqueda-Lewis said. “She’s doing awesome. She’s hitting some 3s and going to the basket, making good passes. She’s being Bria Hartley.’’

Rich

A’Ja Wilson (Photo: Steven Maikoski/USA Basketball)

Judging by the direction her career has taken, it is difficult to fathom that there was a time when A’ja Wilson did not want to play basketball. She said she was 9 or 10 and stood 5-foot-9 when her father, Roscoe, signed her up for a Rec League. At that point just getting a T-shirt and leaving the gym would have been fine with her.

From there, Roscoe Wilson signed A’ja up for an AAU team. She barely touched the court during her first year. And that point, Roscoe, who played professionally in Europe from 1974-1984, issued her a self-imposed deadline. She had one year to prove to him that she could play this game.

“That’s when I would go outside and I would shoot,’’ A’ja Wilson said. “And I was like, `Alright, I’m going to do this. I’m going to show my dad that I want to play next year.’ So I’m just shooting and shooting and I was like, `Uh-oh, the ball’s going in.’ So the next practice, he’s there. `A’ja go in.’ And I started shooting and I was like, `OK, I kind of have a feeling for this.’ So, really, he played a huge role in just making me push myself. And so does my mom (Eva). My mom keeps me humble. It’s really a great balance between my parents.’’

Four years later, Wilson, a 16-year-old, versatile 6-4 wing from Hopkins, S.C., is now regarded as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2014. This week she is the second youngest player competing at the USA Basketball U-19 Team Trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. and is one of only four high school players from her class among the 33-player field vying for 12 roster spots.

This is Wilson’s third invitation from USA Basketball in as many years. Conflicting with exams in each of the past two years, Wilson respectfully declined.

“It was so bad. I was just like, `God, I really want to go,’’’ Wilson said. “And then luckily this year we have exams when I get back. So I was like, `Yes, this is the perfect opportunity.’ So I said, `Dad, let’s go. Mom, come on.’ So, yeah, we’re here now.

“Really just finally being here I was nervous. I was very nervous. But I knew (the nerves) would probably go away once I hit the court. Being here, playing with the best and competing with the best it’s a lot of fun. I’m really enjoying it.’’

According to Max Preps, Wilson averaged 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.0 steals and 5.0 blocks in 22 games this past season for Heathwood Hall Episcopal High. She scored at least 30 points in 12 games and had 20 double-doubles for the Highlanders.

Wilson has amassed 1,726 career points, 989 rebounds and 58 double-doubles in 71 games in the last three seasons.

“A’ja is a coach’s dream,’’ Heathwood Hall coach John O’Cain said. “Not only is she a great basketball player, but I think she is even a better person. As a player she puts the time in to be successful. She is very competitive and a great team player. Basketball will take her a good ways in her life path, but her personal nature will take her even further. I can see A’ja succeeding at anything that she puts her mind to. I have truly enjoyed coaching A’ja over the past five years. She is a once in a lifetime type of player to coach.’’

Wilson is not at all fazed by being the top player in her class. In fact, she was initially unaware of the ranking until she was informed by others via word of mouth, Twitter or Instagram.

She is humble. She is grounded. And the “No. 1’’ in front of her name will not change who she is or how hard she works to improve.

“I was just like, `A’ja, you’re No. 1. But you still have to train like you’re No. 2,’’’ Wilson said. “I’ve just watched so many athletes get a big head and then it goes downhill from there. And I know Coach O’Cain always has this quote `Once you’re satisfied you have no place else to go but down.’ So I’m never satisfied about the way I play. I’m never satisfied with anything that I do on the court and off the court. So, really, when I saw it I was like, `That’s great.’ I just kind of leave it alone, but really it’s nothing different I guess. My life hasn’t changed really.’’

Obviously, Wilson has attracted a significant amount of attention from college coaches, including UConn’s Geno Auriemma. This has been something that she has found to be enjoyable.

“It’s a lot of fun talking to them and hearing the different personalities and the accents and everything,’’ Wilson said. “I love to talk. I do. It’s a great experience. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. And I’m waiting to see what the future holds.’’

At this point, Wilson is not close to making a decision regarding where she will play at the college level. She said she will sit down with her parents next month to discuss where she will take her official visits.

UConn will be one of the schools that she visits.

“It is on my list because, of course, they’re the defending champions right now,’’ Wilson said. “So I would like to take a visit there.’’

Here is what Wilson, who aims to be an Olympian in the future, said she is looking for in choosing a school …

“Probably seeing myself there if I were to get hurt or if I couldn’t play anymore, seeing myself there for the rest of my years that I would be there because my team is going to be pretty close to my immediate family in the relationship that I’m going to have because, of course, my mom or dad will not go off to college,’’ Wilson said. “So they’re going to be my family and I really need to feel like I’m home. So that’s really what I’m looking for. Also, when I graduate where can I go because my ultimate goal is to play at the highest level that women can play in basketball. So I want my coach to get me there.’’

Wilson said that the distance from home will be something that she will discuss with her family and her coaches.

“I don’t know if I want to stay close to home or if I want to go away,’’ Wilson said. “And I think that’s what I’m really going to be looking at when I go to my officials. Where ever I go it’s kind of like, `Let me see,’ because, of course, my parents would want to see a game. So it’s a thought. Of course, it is. But it’s not a huge problem for me.’’

Rich

Chong, who was named a WBCA All-America, averaged 34.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 4.8 steals and 2.0 blocks this season at Ossining High. She led the Pride (22-5) to the state Class AA championship, the first state championship in team history.

Chong finished her career with 2,988 points, setting the state Section 1 scoring record. She is ranked fourth all-time in state history in scoring.

Rich

Moriah Jefferson, Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck will be competing at the U-19 World Championship Team trials. All-Americans Bria Hartley and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis will be competing at the World University Games team trials. Both trials run today through Sunday.

The players have won a combined 13 gold medals as part of USA Basketball. Stewart has four (2012 U-18, 2011 U-19, 2010 U-17, 2009 U-16). Mosqueda-Lewis (2011 U-19, 2010 U-17, 2009 U-16) and Tuck (2012 U-18, 2011 U-19, 2010 U-17) have three. Hartley (2012 3×3, 2011 U-19) has two, and Jefferson has one (2012 U-18).

“I like it because they like it and I know the benefits that come from (playing with USA Basketball),’’ UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “How they get a chance to interact with other players and the lure that USA Basketball has on our players at Connecticut is pretty strong. We feel like it’s a tremendous honor and a tremendous opportunity for our players to play USA Basketball and every chance that our players get I want them to take advantage of it.

“And the five of them that are going out there are going to be pretty important to both of those teams. So I hope they go out there, I hope they do well, which I know they will. And hopefully they’ll make the team and they get an opportunity to go play overseas against some really good competition and hopefully come back with more gold medals. Kind of add to our stash.’’

UConn Class of 2014 target A’ja Wilson, a 6-foot-4 wing from Hopkins, S.C., is also taking part in the U-19 trials.

Rich

Here is the “legislative resolution’’ from the state …

“LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating UConn Women’s Basketball Player Stefanie Dolson for an outstanding 2012-2013 season WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those outstanding individuals in the State of New York who consistently strive for athletic and academic excellence through rigorous training and mental and physical discipline; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Stefanie Dolson for an outstanding 2012-2013 season;

and WHEREAS, Although battling injuries throughout the season, Port Jervis, New York, native Stefanie Dolson was instrumental in helping the UConn Women’s Basketball Team win the 2013 NCAA Championship; and WHEREAS, The special victory over the Louisville Cardinals secured the University of Connecticut’s eighth NCAA Title; and WHEREAS, A junior and a proud graduate of Minisink Valley High School, Stefanie Dolson has acquired numerous collegiate awards and accomplishments throughout the 2012-2013 season, including: WBCA/State Farm All-America Team; USBWA All-America Team; Associated Press All-America Third Team; All-BIG EAST First Team; BIG EAST All-Tournament Team; Naismith Award Preseason Watch list: and the Wooden Award Preseason Top-30;

and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her parents, Stephen and Krystal, and her brother, Jake, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and WHEREAS, Stefanie Dolson continues to make her team, family and the Hudson Valley community proud by demonstrating outstanding athleticism, exemplary leadership, and a strong drive to win; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate UConn Women’s Basketball Player Stefanie Dolson for an outstanding 2012-2013 season; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Stefanie Dolson.’’

Rich

Auriemma sat on stage with Paul O’Connor, the Director of Basketball Operations for the Central Connecticut men’s basketball team and the son of Shehan Center Executive Director Terry O’Connor. They shared an easy-flowing conversation that touched upon numerous topics.

Here are a few of the highlights. Some are serious. Some are serious injected with a hint of fun …

On losses sticking with him
“They tend to stay with you, especially the ones where you felt like you had it and you let it slip through your fingers or you made a couple mistakes and you kind of contributed to the loss,’’ Auriemma said. “Those are the ones that stick with you the most. The ones where people just beat you because they were really good, they don’t bother me at all. If somebody beats you because they’re better than you that doesn’t bother you. But when you lose, man, that’s hard.

“And we’ve never been beaten. We only lose.’’

The last two sentences, said jokingly, drew laughter from the crowd.

On being the U.S. Olympic coach in 2016
“I already did that. It was great. I loved it. I enjoyed it,’’ Auriemma said. “It’s somebody else’s turn now. I already did it and I’m comfortable with what I did. I’m happy with what I did and what we did as a coaching staff and as a team. Somebody else is going to get an opportunity to do it now, because it’s not going not be me. And that’s not because I didn’t enjoy the experience. The experience was great. Any time you get a chance to coach the best players in the world how could you not have a great experience. The experience itself was … It’s a four-year commitment where you’ve got to give yourself up for … I’ll give you an example: This past September and October was the first time in four years that I was able to be with my team during the whole preseason. I haven’t been able to do that in the last four years, and that means a lot to me to be able to be around my players. And it means a lot to them I think to have me there. They don’t say that, but I know they think that.’’

On ever being close to leaving UConn
“There’s been three opportunities where it’s been really close,’’ Auriemma said. “There was three opportunities that were really, really, really, really, really, really opportunities … as close as you can imagine … But things work out for a reason. If you’re going to leave a place like UConn in 1988 it doesn’t have to be a lot to make you go. I got there in 1985 and somebody calls me in 1990 and says, `Listen, we’ve got this, this, this and this.’ And you don’t have any of that it’s easy to say, `I’ll be right there.’ But if somebody calls you after 1995 it’s hard to just pick up and go because you know what you’ve got. So it would have to be something that’s so significantly better that you could change your life, change your career, change everything. But in the end that didn’t happen. It was change, but it wasn’t a big enough significant change that everybody in my family would say, `Yeah, we need to do this.’’’

On conference realignment
“Do you really think the Big East made us? Does anybody really think that the Big East made Connecticut? Because if the Big East made Connecticut how come it didn’t make all those other schools? Connecticut made Connecticut. We made Connecticut. We did this.’’

On whether he ever thinks about coaching in the WNBA or the NBA
“I would never coach in the WNBA. I don’t like working during the summer. They play all their games during the summer and I don’t like that,’’ Auriemma said jokingly. “Would I like to coach in the NBA? I would love it. I think it would be amazing because you’re coaching the best players in the world.’’

On if he has ever been offered a contract by an NBA team
“A friend of mine was interviewing for a job in the NBA as a head coach and we talked about me being one of his assistants,’’ Auriemma said. “But that’s as close as it got. And, luckily for me, he didn’t get the job. But I think if you can work with the best players in the world that’s pretty amazing. I think that’s the ultimate … That’s not saying it’s great for everybody, but, for me, I would love it.’’

Rich