Anosike gets chance to expand her horizons

St. Peter's product heading for Colorado to try out for two international teams

With a full season of college basketball at the University of Tennessee and an appearance in the Final Four under her belt, St. Peter's HS product Nicky Anosike will get a chance to add another impressive line to her resume next week when she participates in the USA Basketball Women's National Team Trials in Colorado Springs.

The Trials, which run from May 19-22, will be used to select the squads that will represent the United States this summer in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship and the World University Games.

"It was definitely a goal of mine," said the 19-year-old University of Tennessee center, and All-Southeastern Conference freshman team selection this season. "I learned a lot last season and I think I am 10 times the player I was at the start of the season."

That was evident to anyone who watched Anosike's startling rise in coach Pat Summitt's rotation this season.

"I learned a lot last year," said Anosike who appeared in all 35 Tennessee games, starting 25 for the Vols. "Just playing with a team like Tennessee for a whole year and being around coach Summitt, you learn a lot."

For the moment, Anosike is engrossed in intense all-day summer classes, the Lady Vols' offseason workout program and moving into a different apartment in Knoxville.

"I'm just trying to get settled in, take it one thing at a time," admitted Anosike, who departs for Colorado one week from today. "By this time next week I'm sure I'll be way more excited."

Anosike will be the only Islander at the tryouts and the only Volunteer. Teammate Candace Parker, who was expected to get an invitation, is still recovering from a knee surgery.

Two teams will be selected -- one for the Under-19 World Championship in Tunis, Tunisia, July 15-24 and one for the World University Games in Imzir, Turkey, from Aug. 11-21. Duke's Gail Goestenkors will direct the Under-19 squad. Kathy Delaney-Smith of Harvard will coach the World University team.

Five other SEC players -- LSU's Seimone Augustus, Quianna Chaney, Sylvia Fowles and Erica White and Auburn's Keshonda Carter -- as well as Lindsay Bowen and Liz Shimek of national runner-up Michigan State received invitations.

Of the 57 players invited, 37 have prior USA Basketball experience, eight from last summer's Under-18 World Championship Qualifying team, from which Anosike was cut.

After the four-day tryouts, the two 12-member teams will be announced. Anosike is one of only 13 invitees eligible for both teams.