Angel Reese embraces role within USA Basketball’s ‘Young and Turnt Crew’ MIAMI — Angel Reese, a rising star for the Chicago Sky, is stepping into a new chapter as part of USA Basketball’s emerging core, dubbed the ‘Young and Turnt Crew.’ The group, which includes Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Kiki Iriafen, is set to make its debut in senior national team competition at the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. The event, which begins this week, marks the first time TNT will broadcast USA Basketball’s qualifying games, signaling a shift in how the team’s international efforts are viewed. Reese, who grew up watching USA Basketball games with her grandmother, now finds herself in the spotlight as part of a new era for the team. Longtime veterans like Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird have retired, leaving room for younger players to take center stage. At a recent training camp in Miami, Bueckers coined the nickname ‘Young and Turnt Crew’ to describe the group’s fiery, competitive spirit. “Every time we step on the court, you see passion, you see fire, you see a competitive spirit about us,” Bueckers said. “We don’t shy away from that; we embrace that.” The term, which Bueckers described as a way to “talk crap,” resonates with the team’s approach. Bird, the managing director of USA women’s basketball, praised the group’s vocal intensity. “That’s the type of vocal I like,” Bird said, reflecting on her own career. Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, has remained involved with USA Basketball in retirement, overseeing the selection of the 12-player team for the qualifying tournament. She highlighted the group’s potential, noting their ability to balance individual flair with team cohesion.#angel_reese #usa_basketball #young_and_turnt_crew #fiba_world_cup_qualifying #paige_bueckers
