IOWA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Iowa's Kathleen Doyle invited to U19 U.S. Women's National Team Trials

Matthew Bain
mbain@press-citizen.com

Iowa's Kathleen Doyle has been invited to the U19 U.S. Women's Basketball National Team Trials, Iowa announced in a release Tuesday afternoon. The trials take place May 18-21 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I am very excited for this opportunity to try out for the USA U19 team," Doyle said in the release. "I am honored that I have been invited. I get chills thinking about playing against the best players in our country and having the potential opportunity to play with them against the best players from around the world. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to take full advantage of it."

Iowa's Kathleen Doyle smiles after a basket during the Hawkeyes' game against Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

An All-Big Ten freshman team selection, Doyle played all 34 games this season and started 29. She averaged 9.2 points and 2.6 rebounds and led the team with 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. She finished with the most steals per game and the best free throw percentage (70.1) among Big Ten freshmen. And she broke Iowa freshman records for assists (148) and steals (71).

"It is a great honor for Kathleen to be recognized as one of the best in the country and be invited to the trials," Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said in the release. "Competing against the best in her age group in a competitive environment will be a terrific experience for her. These types of experiences open your eyes to how good you can be, and they show you areas where you can grow. Kathleen will thrive in this setting."

Doyle will fight for one of 12 roster spots. The 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship will be held July 22-30 in Udine and Cividale del Friuli, Italy, from July 22-30.

Matthew Bain covers preps, recruiting and the Hawkeyes for the Iowa City Press-Citizen, Des Moines Register and HawkCentral. Contact him at mbain@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.