COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — LSU women’s basketball signee Theresa Plaisance, one of the coveted players in the Lady Tigers’ top 10 national Class of 2010, has been named one of 16 finalists for the 2010 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team, it was announced Friday afternoon.
The 16 finalists were chosen after three days of workouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs. Of the 16 finalists, only 12 will make the 2010 USA U18 National Team, which will compete in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women, June 23-27 at the USOTC.
The final, 12-player team will be announced no later than the afternoon of June 14, after several additional practice sessions.
“It felt really amazing,” said Plaisance, the two-time Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year. “I’ve never had that feeling before, ever. It’s just the fact that you are about to represent your country in such a prestigious sport like this. To come out here and play every day is what we love to do, and to do it for our country is even better.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, ever since I was really little. I would just like to fulfill that dream and play for the U.S.”
Plaisance, who will be a true freshman in the fall at LSU, led Vandebilt Catholic High School to its first-ever state championship in April. The Lady Terriers topped Jennings in the Class 4A title game and Plaisance scored a game-high 24 points with 11 rebounds and five blocked shots to earn most outstanding player honors.
Plaisance is a 2010 McDonald’s All-American and the Class 4A Player of the Year. She averaged 16 points and 10 boards per game as a senior. Plaisance played her freshman and sophomore seasons at Ursuline Academy of New Orleans before transferring to Vandebilt.
Plaisance was joined by fellow LSU signee Shanece McKinney as part of the original 27 players selected to the trials. McKinney, a native of Mobile, Ala., posted 18.0 points, 10.0 boards and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior. She led LeFlore High School to a 25-2 record and a Class 5A state championship.