PHOENIX — WNBA stars A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu welcomed two of college basketball's brightest prospects to Team USA Basketball training camp on Monday, using the sessions as an opportunity to mentor JuJu Watkins and Mikayla Blakes and to underscore what it means to be part of the national-team pool.
"Just an opportunity to have your name on this list, in this pool of players, it means that you're doing something right," Wilson said, praising the significance of being invited. She added that the newcomers' eagerness to learn and grow stood out. "It's super cool to see them want to be here, want to learn, want to grow… this next generation and this group of youth that we have is they wanna be sponges. And I remember being in their spot. So, I'm proud of them."
Ionescu echoed that sentiment, acknowledging how daunting the jump to the pro-style environment can feel for younger players. "Obviously, it's nerve-racking. You're young. Your head's probably spinning," she said. "The pro-style game's different, but I feel like that's the fun part, and that's the cool part about USA Basketball. You always kind of bring in a few young players to be able to learn and be a part of the system."
Both veterans offered concrete advice for Watkins and Blakes as they acclimate to camp life and the expectations of representing the United States. Ionescu encouraged the rookies to embrace the moment and remember the selectiveness of the invitation: "Have fun, and understand that you're here for a reason, and it's not by chance. USA (Basketball) holds themselves to a really high standard of who they choose to be a part of this and represent USA Basketball." She also congratulated Blakes directly on being chosen.
Practical counsel focused on active engagement in practice and learning from teammates. "Just be a sponge. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to step into the drills first," Ionescu advised, adding that those small, assertive moves are things she wishes she'd done more of when she was younger. Wilson likewise urged the newcomers to seize the rare chance to train alongside elite professionals: "Enjoy this moment. Not a lot of people get this invite, so embrace it."
Team USA camps routinely bring in young collegiate talent alongside seasoned pros to fast-track their development within the national program and expose them to the physical and tactical demands of international play. For the college players on hand in Phoenix, the combination of top-level coaching, intense practices and direct mentorship from WNBA standouts offers a concentrated crash course in how the national team operates and what selectors value.
As Watkins and Blakes navigate the unfamiliar pace and heightened expectations, the messages from Wilson and Ionescu were clear: their selection reflects potential, their immediate task is to learn aggressively, and this camp is as much about growth as it is about evaluation.