When the U-17 national team trials came to a close the status of UConn commit Katie Lou Samuelson was up in the air due to an ankle injury she suffered on the second to last day of the event. Samuelson, the second-leading scorer on the 2013 U-16 squad, was given a spot on the squad but UConn Class of 2016 recruiting target Sabrina Ionescu was named as an alternate in case Samuelson couldn't play in the tournament.

According to an email I received from the folks at USA Basketball, Samuelson has been taking part in practices as the U-17 undergoes the final preparations at the U.S. Olympic Training Center before flying to France on Wednesday. While in France the team will hold four practices and play international friendlies against China, Canada and France. After spending nearly a week in France the U-17 team will leave for the Czech Republic. The U.S. opens play in the FIBA U-17 World Championships on June 28 against China.