UNC Women's Basketball commit to participate in Team USA trials

The 2024 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team trials will begin on May 15 at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At the conclusion of the trials, the 12-player team that will compete in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup will be selected.

A total of 26 athletes were invited to participate in this year's trials, as a future UNC women's basketball player is among the invitees.

Blanca Thomas is one of 12 members of the Class of 2024 who were invited to attend this year's trials. The other 14 players invited come from the Class of 2025.

Here is the full list of participants for the upcoming trials:

Class of 2024: Joyce Edwards, Kayleigh Heckel, Zamareya Jones, Jordan Lee, Madisen McDaniel, Alivia McGill, Me'Arah ONeal, Arianna Roberson, Kennedy Smith, Zania Socka-Nguemen, Sarah Strong and Blanca Thomas.

Class of 2025:  Sienna Betts, Divine Bourrage, Nyla Brooks, Kaelyn Carroll, Jasmine Davidson, Madison Francis, Layla Hays, Adelaide Jernigan, Zakiyah Johnson, Grace Knox, Leah Macy, Brynn McGaughy, Mia Pauldo and Aubrey Shaw.

The UNC women's basketball program has had players compete for Team USA in the past, as recent stars Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby have both dabbled in international play. Thomas will now take her chance at making the Team USA roster, as the experience alone will be a great one for the incoming freshman forward.

We've heard a lot about what Blanca Thomas brings to the table on the basketball court, as she's a highly-regarded prospect who is expected to make an immediate impact for the Tar Heels. As she prepares for her first season as a member of the UNC women's basketball program, Thomas will compete against some of the best talent around, as the hope is that she'll earn a spot on Team USA's roster.