CONTACT:
Anthony Pappas, West High School Women’s Basketball Coach
(319) 433-2700 [email protected]
Waterloo, IA – Waterloo West High School’s Sahara Williams leaves for Chicago today, as she starts her nearly two week journey for the U18 3×3 World Championship in Debrecen, Hungary. Williams was selected by USA Basketball for the team on August 2, 2022, along with three other female players from across the United States to play in this year’s international tournament. She, along with Kamorea ‘KK’ Arnold, Sarah Strong, and Mikaylah Williams, will spend the next four days at a training camp in Chicago, Illinois, before making their way to the tournament in Hungary.
“I’m really excited to play everywhere,” says Williams. “It will be a really good way to promote myself and my individual game.”
Waterloo West High School’s Women’s Basketball Coach, Dr. Anthony Pappas, worked to coordinate Williams’ tryout for the team.
“At tryouts I felt like I did pretty well, and I was pretty confident in myself,” says Williams. “When they extended the offer I was kind of baffled. All the girls they had to choose from were really great.”
Pappas has coached Williams at West the past three years and looks forward to the skillset she’ll bring to her final season with the team.
“She’s worked hard,” said Pappas. “She’s going to have a great senior year.”
Williams has signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Oklahoma in the Fall of 2023.
“Everyone in Waterloo who has supported me so far, thank you, it takes a village,” Williams said. “If you have a goal, envision it. No one else can make that happen besides you!”
The U18 3×3 World Championship, hosted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), takes place Tuesday, August 23, 2022 until Sunday, August 28, 2022. The official schedule lists the US Women’s first game against Egypt on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 5:50 PM local time (10:50 AM CST) followed by their second game of the day against Mongolia at 7:55 PM local time (12:55 PM CST.) On Thursday, August 25, 2022 the team plays Kyrgyzstan at 10:25 AM local time (5:25 PM CST) followed by their second game of the day against Ukraine at 12:15 PM local time (7:15 PM CST) . The quarter-finals take place on Saturday, August 27, 2022, with the finals wrapping up the tournament on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The Waterloo School District will be sharing links to stream the games on their social media platforms.
About Waterloo Schools
The Waterloo Schools community commits to a comprehensive system of education and support to assure that each and every student will graduate prepared for college, career, and citizenship as evidenced by continuing education, pursuing a career path, and contributing to a community.
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection and training of USA Teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions, and for the development of youth basketball initiatives that address player development, coach education, and safety.
About FIBA
FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, is the world governing body for basketball.Founded by eight nations in 1932, we now bring together 212 National Basketball Federations from all over the world. A non-profit making organization, our mission is to develop and promote the game of basketball, uniting the wider basketball community, which counts more than 450 million players and fans. We organize and oversee international competitions including the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and the Olympic Basketball Tournaments. We establish the Official Basketball Rules as well as the regulations that govern the relationships between the different members of the basketball community. FIBA is the only authority in basketball recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). FIBA’s headquarters, the House of Basketball, is situated in Mies, Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. FIBA has five Regional Offices to provide direct services to the National Member Federations; Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania.
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier Photo
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