Coach Rizzotti Blogs From Colorado Springs with USA Basketball U19 Team

Coach Rizzotti returned to Colorado Springs this weekend to begin final preparations with the USA Basketball U19 National Team who look to defend their title at the FIBA Championship later this month in Chile. Throughout her time with USA Basketball Coach Rizzotti will be blogging through the Hartford Women’s Basketball Blog. Be sure to check back often for updates. You can also follow Coach Rizzotti with USA Basketball using the new Hartford Hawks Women’s Basketball Twitter page at www.twitter.com/HartfordWBB.

USA BASKETBALL U19 NATIONAL TEAM HOMEPAGE

Today we had our first practice for the U19 World Championships. The players arrived to Colorado Springs last night and were eager to go when they showed up this morning. Play was a little rusty and sloppy at times but that's to be expected on the first day. The players also have to get used to the higher altitude - not quite as easy to breathe up here!

I'm fortunate to be coaching players who have all played USA Basketball before so they understand how much we have to get done in a short amount of time. Everyone around the world wants to be the team to beat the US so the target on our back is big but I do believe these players are up for the task. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks and my own challenge of getting the best players in the country at this age group to get the most out of themselves and find a way to play together to be the best team in Chile!

By the way, is everyone aware that it's winter in Chile right now!