June 13, 2007 • Colorado Springs, Colorado

Thirty-five of the nation's top high school girls' basketball players descended on the U.S. Olympic Training Center on Wednesday for their official introduction to USA Basketball. For many, day one of the USA Basketball Women's Youth Development Festival, was the culmination of years of dreaming.

Young athletes like Skylar Diggins and Lynetta Kizer knew full well of the caliber of women who have donned the Red, White and Blue in the past, though as recipients of a number of honors, they are on track to leave their own impression.

Diggins, a rising junior at Washington High School (South Bend, Ind.), has already set records for points (708), assists (176) and steals (136) after just two seasons. Kizer has recorded career highs of 42 and 19 rebounds in her three seasons at Potomac High School (Woodbridge, Va.) This past season, she averaged double figures in points and rebounds on the way to All-Northwest Region and Associated Press All-State second team honors for the second straight season.

But those accomplishments are not good enough for Diggins, Kizer or the other Festival participants. They are all here to take the game to the next level, and it is an opportunity not to be taken lightly. Diggins and Kizer talked with usabasketball.com about their hopes for the weekend, wearing the USA uniform and about how their lyrical ability may help them on the hardwood.

	Photo Credit: Steven Maikoski/ USA Basketball

Skylar Diggins

How are you doing with the elevation?
It was kind of hard. Going up the steps, I got a little tired, but it's just something that you've got to get used to.

Can you talk about how it felt when you got the invitation to come here?
It's an honor. Many kids don't get the privilege to come out here and have such a prestigious opportunity to get better with some of the greatest kids in the country. And it's not just in our country. It's international with Brazil.

How about wearing the Red, White and Blue?
Like I said, I can't stress enough how much of an honor it is. A lot of kids dream to be where we are. This is a privilege.

What are you looking to get out of this weekend?
I'm looking to develop relationships with people and to develop my game, to take my game to a whole other level.

Any family and friends out here to watch you?
Yeah, my Mom and Dad are out here.

What's it mean to have them supporting you?
It's a great support system. It just shows how they want me to do good.

Did I read you like to deejay?
Yeah, I deejay It's just a little on the side, something fun to do. I do parties, dances and formals, open houses and such.

How did you get involved in that?
My dad, he does it.

So you've got rhythm sort of flowing through you?
Yeah, something like that.

Does that help with basketball?
Kinda because basketball is a rhythm, you know? Sometime I have songs playing in my head on the court. I'm just thinking. 'You gotta get on this beat.'

Do you write rhymes that have anything to do with basketball?
Sometimes. I've got a couple of teammates. We play around with it for something fun to do.

	Photo Credit: Steven Maikoski/ USA Basketball

Lynetta Kizer

Is this your first time in Colorado? How do you feel about the elevation?
Yes, it is. I won't know about the elevation till I get on the court, but everything's going pretty smoothly right now.

What do you think about coming out here to Colorado?
It's a great opportunity. Most of the college players, they went through the same camp. It's preparing me to try out for the 19-and-under team.

How familiar are you with the rest of these ladies here?
Well, some of them like Tierra (Ruffin-Pratt) and Chay (Shegog), they're from my area. Brooklyn (Pope) and Ayana Dunning, we play AAU ball, and some of them went to the Nike Skills Academy Camp with me.

What are you hoping to get out of this weekend?
Just development, growing as a post player.

Talk about how you felt when you got the invitation to come out here.
This is a great opportunity for young ladies like myself to come out here. I was pretty excited.

What about putting on the Red, White and Blue?
I like it. It looks good on me I think.