Notre Dame Basketball: Ali Patberg Added to USA Basketball World Team
Patberg added to U19 USA Championship roster
After initially being named an alternate to the 2015 USA Championships Under 19 roster, Ali Patberg was upgraded to the active roster following an injury to teammate Asia Durr that will keep her from competing. It’s just another accolade for the incoming Notre Dame freshman.
Patberg becomes the third active Notre Dame women’s player named to a USA Basketball roster this summer. Fellow freshman Arike Ogunbowale won a silver medal at the USA 3×3 Under-18 Championships earlier this month while junior Taya Reimer will take part in the Pan American Games next month in Canada.
Patberg heads a stellar incoming class for Notre Dame’s Karen and Kevin Keyes head coach Muffet McGraw. Patberg will join Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey, younger sister of senior Michaela Mabrey to form one of the top incoming classes in women’s basketball. Coach McGraw is excited for Patberg’s opportunity on the international stage.
"“We are so proud of Ali,” said Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame’s Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach. “She has such a great work ethic, a high basketball IQ and she’s a phenomenal passer. I’m confident she’ll be able to help lead Team USA from the point guard position as they make a run at yet another gold medal next month.” h/t Chris Masters, Associate Athletic Communications Director"
It’s another peg in the success of Patberg in recent months. She led her high school team, Columbus North High School to the 4A State Title, earned Indiana Miss Basketball, was named the to the Indiana All-Star team which beat the Kentucky All-Star team twice (Patberg earned MVP honors), collected consensus high school All-America recognition, including a spot on the McDonald’s High School All-America Team. Oh, and she was named the 2014-15 MaxPreps Player of the Year.
More from Slap the Sign
- PointsBet Promo: Bet $50, Win an Official Jersey at Fanatics!
- Notre Dame vs NC State: How to watch, odds, injuries, series history and more
- Caesars Indiana Sign-Up Promo: Win $250 GUARANTEED Bonus Betting on Notre Dame This Week!
- FanDuel + DraftKings Indiana Promos: Bet $10 on Notre Dame, Win $400 Bonus GUARANTEED!
- New Caesars + DraftKings Indiana Promos: $450 GUARANTEED Bonus Backing Notre Dame vs. Navy!
Patberg is thrilled for the opportunity but also disappointed it took an injury to Durr for her to have the chance.
"“I was really excited, it was almost like it wasn’t real,” “When (USA Basketball women’s national team director) Carol (Callan) called me, I heard what she said, but it took me awhile to really realize what it meant to be able to be a part of the USA (U19) National Team and represent my country.“I love Asia as a person and I know that she’s a great player,” added Patberg. “So, it stinks for her to not be able to go, but also I think that since she can’t play, she would want me to take her place and play hard for her. I want her to get better and be healthy.”"
Connecticut has been the only thing to dampen the success of the women’s basketball program in recent years, and that’s far from a disappointment. It took time for the Huskies to unseat Pat Summit and her Lady Vols–the time is drawing near for the Irish do the same to Geno Auriemma’s Huskies.