USA Women’s National Team kicks off tour in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Part of the USA Women’s National Team kicked off their tour ahead of the upcoming Olympics right here in Springfield!

The team is in town as athletes practice for National Team opportunities, including the 2024 USA 3x3 Women’s National Team.

Western Mass News stopped by on Friday and caught up with coach Jen Rizotti. She told us that after 24 years of coaching, it’s a pleasure to be practicing in the birthplace of basketball.

“This game is a lot of fun to coach, we have a lot of players that have been dedicated to the process, not just qualifying for the Olympics, but prepared to win back to back gold medals, so it’s nice we get to do that here in Springfield, Massachusetts and at the Hall of Fame.”

Western Mass News also spoke with USA Basketball team member Cierra Burdick, who told us how it feels to be so close to the Paris Olympics, saying, “It’s an amazing opportunity, its a huge blessing, you know, anytime you get to put these three letters across your chest, that’s an honor.”

The training camp will wrap up on April 20th, and on April 23rd, western Mass residents can watch the teams at an exhibition tournament at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.