UNC Class of 2025 commitment Grant earns spot on U.S. U16 team

By R.L. Bynum

Guard Lanie Grant, the only Carolina women’s basketball commitment for the Class of 2025, earned a spot on the United States U16 team over the weekend and, on Monday, ESPN moved her from a four-star to a five-star player and from No. 23 in her class to No. 20.

Grant’s team will play in the FIBA Women’s U16 Americas Championship from June 13–19 in Merida, Mexico. High school players graduating in 2025 or 2026 make up the team, but Grant is one of only four Class of 2025 players on the 12-girl roster. Fifty-five players tried out for the team in Colorado Springs, Colo., during a 10-day training camp.

ESPN ranks the versatile 5–9 Grant, who has grown three inches in the last 16 months. She is a rising junior at James River High School in Midlothian, Va. Last season, Grant averaged 28.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 41% from 3-point range and 86% from the free-throw line.

Incarnate Word Academy coach Dan Rolfes will coach the team, playing in Group A with Colombia, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

After opening at 7:30 p.m. June 13 against Puerto Rico, the U.S. team plays Colombia at 7:30 p.m. on June 14 and Mexico at 10 p.m. on June 15. The quarterfinals are June 17, the semifinals are on June 18 and the championship game is on June 19.

The United States is 34–1 all-time in women’s U16 competition and has won the last three gold medals. The games will stream on FIBA’s YouTube channel.


Potential UNC 2004–25 roster

YearNo.PlayersPos.Height
FreshmanBlanca Thomas (5 star)C6–5
FreshmanJordan Zubich (4 star)G5–11
RS Freshman21Ciera ToomeyF6–4
RS Freshman4Laila Hull W6–1
Sophomore22RyLee GraysF6–3
Sophomore10Reniya KellyPG5–7
Sophomore15Sydney BarkerPG5–6
RS Junior11Kayla McPhersonPG5–8
RS Junior13Teonni KeyF6–4
Junior24Indya NivarG5–10
Senior5Maria Gakdeng C6–3
Players eligible for fifth season
Graduate 20Lexi Donarski G6–0
Graduate25Deja Kelly PG5–8
Graduate31Anya PooleF6–2
Graduate1Alyssa Ustby F6–1
Graduate0Alexandra ZelayaF6–4
ESPN rankClass of 2025
22ndLanie Grant (5 star)G5–9

Photo via @JRHS_GBB

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