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UConn women notebook: Recruit Ziebell named to USA U-19 team

carl adamec, journal inquirer, manchester, conn.
·5 min read
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May 16—Allie Ziebell has earned the opportunity to represent her country for the first time.

Ziebell — a 5-foot-11 junior guard from Neenah, Wisconsin and a 2024 commit of the UConn women's basketball team — was named to USA Basketball's U-19 national team Monday night after four days of trials in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She is one of two players from the Class of 2024 chosen for the team joining forward Joyce Edwards of Camden, South Carolina. Ziebell is the No. 6-ranked recruit in her class according to ESPN while Edwards, who is uncommitted, is No. 2.

The 2023 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, Ziebell averaged 25.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots as a junior at Neenah High.

It was her second trials, having come up short at the 2022 U-17 trials.

UConn incoming freshman KK Arnold did not make the cut.

Joining Ziebell and Edwards on the 12-player team are six who recently completed their freshman year in college — Lordynn Jones (UCLA), Chloe Kitts (South Carolina), Talana Lepolo (Stanford), Cotie McMahon (Ohio State), Kiki Rice (UCLA), and Grace VanSlooten (Oregon) — and four incoming college freshmen — Madison Booker (Texas), Aalyah Del Rosario (LSU), Jadyn Donovan (Duke), and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame).

Joni Taylor (Texas A&M) will serve as the USA head coach, assisted by DeLisha Milton-Jones (Old Dominion) and Teri Moren (Indiana).

The team will reconvene for training camp in Colorado Springs on July 2. The 2023 FIBA U-19 World Cup is set for July 15-23 in Madrid, Spain.

UConn rising juniors Azzi Fudd and Amari DeBerry were members of the 2021 gold-medal winning USA U-19 team while redshirt junior Paige Bueckers was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup for Team USA.

Crockett joins CCSU staff

Willnett Crockett, a two-time national champion during her playing days at UConn (2002-06), was named an assistant coach at Central Connecticut State on Monday.

"I'm excited to have Will join my staff," Central first-year coach Way Veney said in a statement. "She is a hard worker and very loyal. Her commitment to cultivating relationships with the student athletes is unmatched. Her winning pedigree and ties to the State of Connecticut will be a tremendous asset for us in recruiting."

Crockett and Veney spent 13 seasons together on the women's basketball staff at Temple under head coach Tonya Cardoza. They helped the Owls to three NCAA tournament berths and four WNIT bids.

Last season, Crockett — a native of Harbor City, California — was the director of basketball operations at Cal State-Northridge.Allie Ziebell has earned the opportunity to represent her country for the first time.

Ziebell — a 5-foot-11 junior guard from Neenah, Wisconsin and a 2024 commit of the UConn women's basketball team — was named to USA Basketball's U-19 national team Monday night after four days of trials in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

She is one of two players from the Class of 2024 chosen for the team joining forward Joyce Edwards of Camden, South Carolina. Ziebell is the No. 6-ranked recruit in her class according to ESPN while Edwards, who is uncommitted, is No. 2.

The 2023 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, Ziebell averaged 25.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots as a junior at Neenah High.

It was her second trials, having come up short at the 2022 U-17 trials.

UConn incoming freshman KK Arnold did not make the cut.

Joining Ziebell and Edwards on the 12-player team are six who recently completed their freshman year in college — Lordynn Jones (UCLA), Chloe Kitts (South Carolina), Talana Lepolo (Stanford), Cotie McMahon (Ohio State), Kiki Rice (UCLA), and Grace VanSlooten (Oregon) — and four incoming college freshmen — Madison Booker (Texas), Aalyah Del Rosario (LSU), Jadyn Donovan (Duke), and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame).

Joni Taylor (Texas A&M) will serve as the USA head coach, assisted by DeLisha Milton-Jones (Old Dominion) and Teri Moren (Indiana).

The team will reconvene for training camp in Colorado Springs on July 2. The 2023 FIBA U-19 World Cup is set for July 15-23 in Madrid, Spain.

UConn rising juniors Azzi Fudd and Amari DeBerry were members of the 2021 gold-medal winning USA U-19 team while redshirt junior Paige Bueckers was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup for Team USA.

Crockett joins CCSU staff

Willnett Crockett, a two-time national champion during her playing days at UConn (2002-06), was named an assistant coach at Central Connecticut State on Monday.

"I'm excited to have Will join my staff," Central first-year coach Way Veney said in a statement. "She is a hard worker and very loyal. Her commitment to cultivating relationships with the student athletes is unmatched. Her winning pedigree and ties to the State of Connecticut will be a tremendous asset for us in recruiting."

Crockett and Veney spent 13 seasons together on the women's basketball staff at Temple under head coach Tonya Cardoza. They helped the Owls to three NCAA tournament berths and four WNIT bids.

Last season, Crockett — a native of Harbor City, California — was the director of basketball operations at Cal State-Northridge.

For coverage of all sports in the JI's 18-town coverage area, plus updates on the UConn women's basketball team and head coach Geno Auriemma, follow Carl Adamec on Twitter: @CarlAdamec, Facebook: Carl Adamec, and Instagram: @CarlAdamec.