Bella Swedlund reps SD at the USA Basketball trials
Bella Swedlund, #164 Imagine sitting in the car for 8 hours, thinking, dreaming, mind going in a million places, waiting for your chance to…… catch a body!!! Bella Swedlund is a special type of talent. From a small town in…
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Continue ReadingImagine sitting in the car for 8 hours, thinking, dreaming, mind going in a million places, waiting for your chance to…… catch a body!!! Bella Swedlund is a special type of talent. From a small town in Winner, South Dakota population about 2,900, Swedlund stands out. That long car ride with her dad stops in Colorado Springs for the USA Basketball 16u National Team Trials. Imagine applying with thousands of other players from all over the country, getting an invite with only 150 spots. “It was crazy when we got the news, my father came to school and told me I made it,” Swedlund said.
Swedlund would make it to Colorado Springs, register for trials and go through intensive training classes. Those classes would consist of valuable information on nutrition, academic and college preparation. Then comes the action. “In my group there were girls from California, Texas and the east coast.” stated Swedlund. The groups would go through drills and station then onto competition five on five. “The first day I felt really good, I was able to get my shot off and drive the lane. There were some really skilled and talented girls in our group” said Swedlund. “The second day was a bit more challenging. As I’m a shooter and I couldn’t really get into a groove. I started to notice that I had to attack the paint more but sometimes when I got down there it would get contested”.
When you’re in a class all by yourself some of your attributes outshine others around you. However, when everyone is on the same level you must shine through. “If I could have just made some extra shots, I would have been good” laughed Swedlund. “At this level everyone is good, girls are 6’4 at the guard position. But I definitely held my own and can play with them!”
One thing about Swedlund is that she is the ultimate competitor. She will take everything she learned from her time in Colorado Springs and use it as fuel to her burning fire. Already a scary scorer, crafty player and a heart of a lion. It’s crazy to think of where she could take her game next. At a young age she has tasted success. State title, check. All tournament team, check. All State member, check. And she can add USA Basketball to the resume. Knowing her, the sting of not making the cut will push her. Maybe next year she gets the invite again and look out, she’s coming for heads. Swedlund said “I know what I have to work on to get to that elite level. I like it. I like the challenge. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I plan on using everything I’ve learned.”