July 23, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Incoming freshman Lynetta Kizer has been training with the USA U18 team over the last few weeks. Before leaving for Argentina where the team will compete in the FIBA Americas U18 World Championship, the squad made a stop in Washington, D.C., where they spent a few days practicing, but also made time for sightseeing. Kizer takes a moment to provide an update. The U.S. has left for Buenos Aires, Argentina, and will begin competition on July 23.
Home sweet home. Finally, I spent time back home in Washington D.C., training with the team. Not technically home, but close enough. I wasn't too far from my family, and they were able to sit in on a few practices. The whole team was excited to be in D.C., too. The fact that we will be able to breathe during practice eased our minds about the two-a-days we have left. Training at a high altitude in Colorado made that difficult.
For many of my teammates, the trip as the first time they were able to see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument and all the other sites of Washington, D.C. I felt like a tour guide, and they had lots of questions for me. By the end of our five days there, we had all had a history lesson.
Midway through our practice this past Friday, Katie Smith and Alexis Hornbuckle [from the WNBA's Detroit Shock] came by. Coach [Carol] Owens stopped practice, and they talked to us about how important it is that we give USA Basketball our all. Having these two WNBA players talk to us meant a lot because it's hard sometimes for us teenagers to get through these two-a-days. Katie and Alexis only made us want to work harder so we can earn a gold medal.
We also attended a Washington Mystics game while we were in D.C., and it was exciting to see the players had made it from high school to college to the WNBA. It made us young players want to work harder at accomplishing our goals. The game was fast paced and everybody played a certain role. Even though the Mystics lost, we learned a lot from watching the game. Especially, following your shot, rebounding and boxing out. The hustle during the game was unbelievable. They were nonstop until they were dead tired.
It was a good experience for us before heading to Argentina, and I'm excited more and more as the tournament gets closer.
