This summer, Adia Barnes will bring a little UofA to Team USA.
Barnes, the UA women's basketball team's rising-star coach, has been named an assistant coach for Team USA's upcoming AmeriCup tournament. Ten nations from the Americas and Caribbean will meet June 11-19 in Puerto Rico, with the top four advancing to 2022 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.
Barnes will coach under Dawn Staley, who — alongside Barnes — made this year's Final Four. It marked the first time in the history of women's college basketball that two Black women made the national semifinals in the same year.
"I am incredibly honored to represent the United States and assist coach Dawn Staley and USA Basketball for the 2021 AmeriCup," Barnes said in a news release. "This has been a basketball dream of mine and I can't wait to represent my country."
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Team USA's AmeriCup team will be selected later this month following tryouts at the University of South Carolina, where Staley is the head coach.
Staley said Barnes, who led the Wildcats to their first Final Four and an upset of powerhouse UConn last week, "has quickly proven herself to be one of the top coaches in our country," also praising fellow assistant Jen Rizzotti, the former head coach at George Washington.
Photos: Arizona vs. Stanford, NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship
From left to right Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2), Stanford Cardinal guard Lexie Hull (12), Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0), Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) and Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) make a move towards the ball in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) tries to grab the loose ball as Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) gets up and Arizona Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) chses it in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship
The Arizona bench comes together to watch the seconds of the game against Stanford in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford
Arizona Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) and Arizona Wildcats guard Shaina Pellington (1) walk away from the huddle after Stanford wins the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) is comforted as the Wildcats leave the floor after losing to Stanford in NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
As the confetti falls Arizona forward Sam Thomas (14) and her teammates wave to fans after losing to Stanford in the NCAA Tournament championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship
Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0) passes the ball around the leg o fStanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (22) gets her hands on the ball as Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) tries to shoot in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes talks with Arizona Wildcats forward Trinity Baptiste (0) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) eyes the basket as Stanford defenders watch in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) tries to grab the ball from Stanford Cardinal forward Ashten Prechtel (11) in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
NCAA Tournament National Championship: No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 1 Stanford
Arizona guard Aari McDonald, right, is met by Stanford defenders, including guard Haley Jones (30), in the second half of the NCAA Tournament championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
NCAA Tournament National Championship: No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 1 Stanford
Arizona Wildcats guard Aari McDonald (2) lays on the ground as Stanford Cardinal guard Lexie Hull (12) walks away in the second half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
Arizona, Stanford, 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball National Chamionship
Arizona and Stanford players each reach for the rebound in the first half during the NCAA Tournament National Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021.
NCAA Tournament National Championship: No. 3 Arizona vs. No. 1 Stanford
An Arizona fan stands for the National Anthem before the start of the NCAA Tournament National Championship game against Stanford at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Stanford won 54-53.
