By R.L. Bynum
The good news for Lanie Grant is that she earned a spot on another United States team. The bad news is that she suffered a right ankle injury during three-on-three drills on Saturday.
Grant was one of 44 players in Colorado Springs since Wednesday trying to make the 12-team United States women’s roster that will play in the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup from July 13–21 in Irapuato and Leon, Mexico, that USA Basketball announced on Sunday night.
Grant, who was held out of Sunday drills by the medical staff, said she “will be back fully in a few weeks.”
Carolina can only hope the injury is minor after backcourt injuries last season suffered by Paulina Paris, Reniya Kelly and Kayla McPherson drastically depleted the Tar Heels’ backcourt depth.
Grant is part of the Tar Heels’ three-player incoming freshman class, including Mountain Iron, Minn., guard Jordan Zubich and former Charlotte Catholic center Blanca Thomas.
Thomas was in Colorado Springs a week earlier trying out for the U.S. team for the FIBA U17 Women’s AmeriCup but wasn’t selected.
Grant is one of seven players picked for this U17 team who were part of the USA U16 National Team that won the gold medal last summer at the Women’s AmeriCup in Mexico, along with Jacy Abii, Addison Bjorn, Lola Lampley, Jerzy Robinson, Hailee Swain and McKenna Woliczko.
UNC offered scholarships to Abii in April 2023, Bjorn in July 2022, Lampley in June 2021 and Woliczko in May 2023. All are in the Class of 2026.
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Alexandra Eschmeyer, Jordyn Palmer, Emilee Skinner, Kaleena Smith, and Ivana Wilson-Manyacka round out the roster.
Meg Barber of New York University is the coach.
The team will reconvene in Colorado Springs in early July.
The U17 Women’s World Cup includes 16 countries. All three Group C games for the Americans will start at 10 p.m. ET: facing Australia in its opener July 13, Puerto Rico on July 14 and Croatia on July 16.
After group play, every team advances to the single-elimination tournament.
USA Basketball U17 Women’s National Team
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 |
WW — Virginia transfer; — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; X — Stanford transfer
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 courtesy of USA Basketball
