Most athletes could only dream of competing on a global scale for their country’s national team. But for Long Beach State women’s basketball player Ella Clark, that dream may soon become a reality.
That’s because the freshman forward and London native will be trying out for two separate British national women’s basketball teams this summer.
Clark, who has been a member of the Great Britain Junior National team since 2006, will be among 22 players to try out for the Great Britain under-20 women’s national squad on May 27.
Clark will also attempt to make the Great Britain Women’s University basketball team, which will compete against 15 other countries around from the globe in the 2011 World University Summer Games in Shenzhen, China from Aug.12-23.
“I hope to make the [under-20] team and play more minutes than I did last year [while I was on the junior national team],” Clark said. “I should be a role player on the team, so hopefully that will lead to me getting selected for the World University Games, which [starts] a month afterwards.”
LBSU head coach Jody Wynn said playing for two British national teams could potentially help improve Clark’s all-around play if she should be selected to either of the teams.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for her to learn from more girls that might be a little older and more experienced than her in level of play,” Wynn said. “And just to be able practice with them and compete against them every day, is a great opportunity.
“Hopefully, she’ll get some playing time where she can actually improve in the University Games, as well.”
The British under-20 team’s coaching staff will first narrow down their cut to 13 players who will participate at a joint basketball camp with the under-20 men’s squad in Colchester, England on June 3.
The camp, which lasts for approximately a month, seeks to prepare the British under-20 teams for the 2011 FIBA European Youth Championship that tips off July 7 in Poland.
The under-20 team will be the first women’s youth squad from Britain to compete in European Division A competition after achieving promotion last year.
Britain will be competing in Group D alongside Slovakia, Latvia and Spain when the tournament tips off July 7 in Poland.
Though the 6-foot-3 forward has been injured with a high ankle sprain since the end of LBSU’s season last month, Clark feels in confident in her preparation since last summer and is expected to be at full strength for the tryouts.
“After last year, [the coaches] gave me like a five-page feedback form about stuff I need to improve upon,” Clark said. “So like ball handling, being more consistent with my [footwork and ball] movements is what I’ve been working on.”
Though Clark’s offseason preparation has been limited, Wynn said the freshman has been participating in eight hours of training per week, which includes six combined hours of weight training and cardio, and two hours of basketball drills.
In 31 games this season, Clark ranked fourth on the 49ers in scoring (6.7 ppg), third in rebounding (4.1 rpg), and first in blocks (1.8 bpg).
Some of her LBSU highlights this season include a 16-point performance against Washington State before topping that when she recorded a career-high 18 points on 8-of-11 from the field (72 percent) in a 70-68 overtime victory against UC Riverside on Feb 17.
“She’s got a lot more confidence now, and she understands the game so well that she was able to pick up on things rather quickly,” Wynn said. “Her versatility has expanded — not just in terms of shooting 3s, but her ability to score in the paint, as well.”
Wynn added: “It’s just nice to see her progress in earning this opportunity … We’ll keep our fingers crossed that she makes the squads.”
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