Agugua-Hamilton Named to the USA Basketball U18 Trials Coaching Staff

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – USA Basketball today announced the trio of coaches who will lead the 2022 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team this summer, as well as two who will assist as court coaches during the USA U18 National Team trials.

Texas A&M University head coach Joni Taylor, who was an assistant coach for the 2021 USA U19 World Cup Team that claimed gold, will serve as head coach. Virginia head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton will be one of two court coaches during the May 31-June 4 trials, held at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She and Villanova’s Denise Dillon will be tasked with aiding the coaching staff in on-court skills and drills and scrimmages.

This is Agugua-Hamilton’s first USA Basketball coaching assignment.

“I am extremely blessed, honored, and humbled,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “USA Basketball is synonymous with greatness in my opinion. To be selected and recognized by the committee as someone fit to be a part of the USA Basketball Family is nothing short of amazing. I am very thankful and appreciative of the opportunity.”

A now-biennial event launched in 1988 and open to athletes 18 years old or younger, the FIBA Americas U18 Championship features eight national teams from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. The USA Basketball women claimed 10-straight gold medals from 2000-2018, as well as in 1988, and silver medals in 1992 and 1996. USA Basketball is 59-2 in FIBA Americas U18 Championship action.