By R.L. Bynum
The United States team rolled into the medal round with three blowout victories at the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship, and future Tar Heel Lanie Grant returned for Thursday’s win over Mexico after missing a game.
After Grant scored 12 points in the Americans’ 124–39 Tuesday victory over Puerto Rico, she was one of several players from other teams, all staying at the same hotel in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, who started feeling sick.
For about 14 hours, she felt pretty sick and missed Wednesday’s 93–28 win over Colombia. The team doctors told her they thought she might have a stomach virus. Whatever it was, it wasn’t pleasant, but she improved enough to play 20 minutes and score eight points in Thursday’s 123–27 victory over host Mexico at Poliforum Zamna arena.
Probably still not feeling 100%, Grant, a five-star recruit ranked by ESPN No. 20 in the Class of 2025, was 2 of 6 from the floor, 1 of 3 from 3-point range and collected three rebounds, four assists and one steal with one turnover.
The United States, 39–1 all-time in U16 competition, converted 27 Mexico turnovers into 32 points in building a 71–17 halftime lead.
It’s probably helpful to Grant that the team gets Friday off before Saturday’s quarterfinals, when the United States (3–0) faces the Dominican Republic (0–3) at 7:30. If the Americans win, they’d face the winner of the quarterfinal matching Argentina (2–1) and Colombia (1–2) in the semifinals.
On the other side of the bracket, Canada (3–0) meets Mexico (0–3) and Puerto Rico (2–1) faces Brazil (1–2).
The semifinals are Sunday and the championship game is Monday, with the U.S. and Canada clear favorites to advance.
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Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant,, Taliyah Henderson and Liza Ashtakhova and Liza Ashtakhova return, with years listed for next season (UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 52/4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | ||
| Senior | 11 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photo, videos courtesy of FIBA
