For those of you who cannot wait to see the next generation of college basketball players, you are in luck. USA Basketball announced the roster for its U-18 national team yesterday, which includes many notable incoming freshmen like 2025 U-19 gold medalist Sydney Douglas (undecided), top-25 recruit Miciah “Mimi” Fusilier (Baylor), and 2026 McDonald’s All-American Jayla “Jordyn” Jackson (Maryland). 1 player whose last name might be familiar is Bella Flemings: her older brother Kingston was an All-American at Houston last season and is projected to be a lottery pick later this month. Bella is heading to Mexico next week and try to win a gold medal, but earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with her about choosing Duke for college and cheering for her hometown San Antonio Spurs this month.
You received scholarship offers from several great schools including Baylor/Miami/TCU/Tennessee: what made you choose Duke last October? The biggest reason was Coach Kara Lawson and my relationship with her. All the girls I met during my official visit there were so high-character, and Duke also places a lot of importance on academics, so it is the perfect choice for me.
You are part of a great recruiting class including Autumn Fleary/Sanai Green/Taylor Sofilkanich: how well do you know any of your future teammates? Sanai and I played together at Overtime Select (www.overtimeselect.com) and are close, and I also played against Autumn at the McDonald’s All-American Game earlier this year.
Another 1 of your future teammates is Arianna Roberson, who you scored 47 PTS against in a 7-PT win in the state regional championship 2 years ago: do you remind her of that game every time you see her? Not every time…but I tease her about it every so often!
Last March you played for the West in the McDonald’s All-American Game: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Saniyah Hall/Kate Harpring/Jordyn Jackson/other)? Probably my teammate Lizzy Spaight: she did a great job of scoring (11 PTS) and facilitating from the PG spot.
You were also named Gatorade Texas Girls Basketball POY this spring: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It had been 1 of my goals since my freshman year, so to accomplish that as a senior after my brother Kingston accomplished it the year before showed that all my hard work was paying off.
You had 2504 PTS/1068 REB at Brennan High School while also maintaining an “A” average: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I always do my schoolwork 1st: my rule is that I cannot go out until I get my assignments done. Since I am so busy with basketball, I just try to get everything done as soon as I can rather than procrastinate.
You are listed at 6’: what position did you play in high school, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I played 1 through 5 in high school: whatever my team needed me to do. At Duke I plan to play SG.
Your brother Kingston is a projected lottery pick this month: how excited is your family for draft night? My family is so excited! We are a little stressed out with all the preparation, but it is a huge accomplishment for him.
You are from San Antonio: any predictions for the NBA Finals? I believe the Spurs will win: Go Spurs Go!
Yesterday you were named to the U-18 National Team: what will it mean to you to represent your country as you try to win a gold medal in Mexico? It is the biggest honor that any athlete can dream of, and we have a special group that will try to compete for a gold medal.
