Bethlehem junior Leah Macy will make her first international trip with USA Basketball next month. (USA Basketball Photo)
Leah Macy dreamed of being a McDonald’s All-American and a five-star recruit growing up. The Bethlehem junior never really thought about playing for USA Basketball.
“I think that (USA Basketball) became a goal after I went to my first (USA Basketball) Trials two years ago,” said the 6-2 Notre Dame commit. “I knew I had no chance of making the team but without that experience I never would have made the team this year.”
Macy and Sacred Heart junior ZaKiyah Johnson both made the USA Basketball U18 team that will play in the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup from June 17-23 in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The team will reconvene for training camp in Colorado Springs on June 8.
“I knew what to expect and how to train differently to make the team this time. I knew more about what I was getting into and my mindset was different,” Macy said. “It was cool to be back with USA Basketball but it was a real grind for four days. Every coach is different. You don’t know what type of offense you will be running until you get there.”
Macy knew making the team would be about a lot more than scoring because of how many elite players were at the tryout.
“You try to figure out your role. The tryout was very forward dominant. Being a versatile player allowed me to play a stretch 3. Being able to expand my game helped me make the team,” Macy said. “My ability to pass was a big thing for the (selection) committee to see.
“In AAU and high school I have to score a lot. I do distribute (the ball) but I score a lot. On this USA team, I will be more on the perimeter. We are big inside. My passing will be much more important.’
Macy also made a concerted effort to be a vocal leader, something that is a bit out of her comfort zone.
“I am not always the loudest leader and it was hard to do that in that environment but I tried,” she said.
Macy is home until June 8th and then will return to Colorado Spring before heading to Bucaramanga, Colombia, for the competition June 17-23.
“I have not played internationally before. I do know most of the players on the team which is a big help,” Macy said.
She’ll also have a familiar face on the coaching staff as Notre Dame coach Neile Ivey will be an assistant under coach Teri Moren of Indiana.
“Having 2 1/2 weeks with her (Ivey) to further our relationship is going to be great,” Macy said. “I really didn’t plan my commitment around the Trials but I am glad I did commit and that is going to make this USA experience so much better.”
3 Responses
A Kentucky girl should have jumped on the Kenny brooks train. She would have gotten playing time and more nil opportunities at Kentucky. I just can’t imagine being that good and not wanting to represent your home state. Notre Dame is a little bit of a rival to Kentucky. She must have not liked Kentucky growing up.or her family wasn’t into college sports.
As I have said before, she was not offered by Brooks. Hard to jump on the train TJ without a ticket
Oh my gosh!! I didn’t know this and this is why I tune into you Larry. They lost a gem maybe its because Brooks got here late. Is she 2025 or 2024? Hopefully she doesn’t stay at Notre Dame for 4 years. Shes such a dynamic player and she was the one player I wanted Brooks to get. It all makes sense now. Well I feel like a jackass. Sorry Leah Macy good luck to you. I was very jealous when you signed to Notre Dame and now I understand. We really dropped the ball with this one. Hopefully we can pick it back up in the future.