Team Minnesota imagined: What if we were a country?
What if Minnesota was a country? That was the thought rattling around in my head for a couple of hours on Monday night as we watched one of our own – sophomore guard Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN of Benilde-St. Margaret’s – make her debut with the U.S. National U16 team in Mexico at the Championship of the Americas tournament. Liv was in the starting lineup against Chile, and she turned in a solid performance for the Americans in 117-23 shellacking of the severely overmatched squad from the Southern Hemisphere. It got me thinking: If Minnesota was a country, could we finish on the podium in this event? And if so, who would make the team? No offense intended, but if last night’s performance is an accurate indicator of their ability level, any of the top AAU clubs in Minnesota would have throttled the Chileans, too.
There are eight countries involved in the event: USA, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. Of course, Puerto Rico isn’t actually a country (it’s a U.S. territory) but the powers that be in international basketball have conveniently ignored reality in this regard. With about 3 million residents, it is the least-populous of the participants with about half as many people as live in Minnesota. Since we probably produce as many collegiate-level players per capita as anywhere in the country, it stands to reason that the Land of 10,000 Lakes might be able to compete for a medal, even against solid basketball countries like Brazil, Argentina and Canada. I’d certainly put a dollar or two on a top-three finish.
So who would represent? There are 12 roster spots available. This edition of Team USA features nine 2023s and three 2024s, including Olson. My picks for the team would shake out in a similar ratio. Players are listed by graduation year, ranking within their class, and the AAU team they competed for in 2021.
POINT GUARDS
This is a particularly strong group. All three can handle the ball. All three are tough, and physical. All three can shoot it. All three are great floor generals who have proven themselves against top players from across America. All three will have the opportunity to play at the high major level. What more could you ask for?
- 2023 #4 – Kennedy Sanders Kennedy Sanders 5'8" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN , Chaska (Minnesota Fury)
- 2024 #2 – Liv McGill Liv McGill 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2024 State MN , Hopkins (Metro Stars)
- 2023 #7 – Molly Lenz Molly Lenz 5'8" | CG Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN , Eden Prairie (North Tartan)
SHOOTING GUARDS
Minnesota would obviously pluck Olson off the Team USA roster. She’s one of the best players in the country and proved that once again in Monday’s opening game in which she was in the starting lineup. No educated observer would dispute Johnson’s abilities, either. I’d take Klick and Shubert for my other two spots, although others might argue for Laura Hauge Laura Hauge 5'9" | SG St. Croix Lutheran | 2024 State MN , Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN or someone else. Shubert is a pure shooter. Klick is super creative and always seems to come through in the clutch.
- 2024 #1 – Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN , Benilde-St. Margaret’s (Minnesota Fury)
- 2023 #1 – Tessa Johnson Tessa Johnson 5'11" | SG St. Michael-Albertville | 2023 State #36 Nation MN , St. Michael-Albertville (North Tartan)
- 2023 #6 – Kennedy Klick Kennedy Klick 6'0" | CG Maple Grove | 2023 State MN , Maple Grove (North Tartan)
- 2023 #9 – Aby Shubert Aby Shubert 5'8" | CG Kasson-Mant. | 2023 State MN , Kasson-Mantorville (Minnesota Fury)
FORWARDS
Woodson and Agara are no-brainers. They have been a dominant force for Hopkins and the Metro Stars for some time now. Woodson is all about power and speed. Agara is one of the best leapers in the class. Although she’s younger than the rest by a fair bit, Crump is an uber-talented athlete whose length is so difficult to contend with. I’d give Aaliyah the opportunity to get her feet wet on the big stage.
- 2023 #2 – Taylor Woodson Taylor Woodson 6'0" | PF Hopkins | 2023 State #28 Nation MN , Hopkins (Metro Stars)
- 2023 #3 – Nunu Agara Nunu Agara 6'1" | PF Hopkins | 2023 State #32 Nation MN , Hopkins (Metro Stars)
- 2025 #1 – Aaliyah Crump Aaliyah Crump 6'1" | SF Minnetonka | 2025 State MN , Minnetonka (North Tartan)
THE BIGS
Team USA has a distinct size advantage over its opponents in Mexico with 6’4 and 6’5 front line and a total of nine players over 6 feet. At 6’2, McGowan is definitely up to the task against most bigs. Dasovich has a ton of high-level experience and her physicality gives her a distinct edge. Some would argue that Savanna Jones Savanna Jones 6'2" | PF Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN belongs in this group, too, but I like my choices.
- 2023 #8 – Savannah McGowan Savannah McGowan 6'2" | PF Armstrong | 2023 State MN , Armstrong (Minnesota Fury)
- 2024 #3 – Emma Dasovich Emma Dasovich 6'1" | PF Valley Vista | 2024 MN , Minnetonka (North Tartan)
ALTERNATES
- Point guards – 2024 #6 Tori McKinney Tori McKinney 6'1" | CG Minnetonka | 2024 State MN (Minnetonka-North Tartan), 2023 #17 Taryn Hamling Taryn Hamling 5'9" | PG Grand Rapids | 2023 State MN (Grand Rapids-Minnesota Stars)
- Shooting guards – 2023 #5 Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN (Becker-North Tartan), 2024 #4 Laura Hauge Laura Hauge 5'9" | SG St. Croix Lutheran | 2024 State MN (St. Croix Lutheran-North Tartan), 2023 #16 Sophi Hall Sophi Hall 6'1" | CG Holy Family | 2023 State MN (Holy Family-Minnesota Fury)
- Forwards – 2023 #11 Abby Krzewinski Abby Krzewinski 5'11" | PF Wayzata | 2023 State MN (Wayzata-Minnesota Fury), 2023 #10 Clara Glad Clara Glad 6'0" | SF Rogers | 2023 State MN (Rogers-North Tartan)
- Bigs – 2023 #13 Savanna Jones Savanna Jones 6'2" | PF Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN (Eden Prairie-Metro Stars)
What do you think?