Monroe's USA Invite A Boost To FSU's Program
Published: May 16, 2007
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TALLAHASSEE - On the morning last month when Florida State women's basketball coach Sue Semrau informed her of the news via text message, freshman Jacinta Monroe was in bed asleep.
Monroe quickly called Semrau when she heard her phone beeping, and learned that she had been invited to compete for a spot on USA Basketball's Under-19 Junior National Team. She then promptly fell back asleep.
Set to leave for Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday, the 18-year-old Monroe isn't nearly as calm these days. Thanks to a picture on the wall of her dorm room, she is reminded daily of the experience ahead.
The photo is one of Monroe standing next to her basketball idol, former WNBA star Cynthia Cooper. She met Cooper, now head women's coach at Prairie View A&M, at a camp a couple of years ago.
"I almost fainted," Monroe said Tuesday. "I love Cynthia Cooper. She has always been my favorite player. I had to calm myself down so I could talk to her. We had some great conversations about basketball."
When Monroe started researching the Junior National Team to see which players she had played against, she discovered Cooper was one of the assistant coaches for the U-19 team.
Talk about added pressure.
"I really want to make the team," she said. "I'm very excited about it. It's a great honor to be even invited. It's the best of the best. I'm just going to bring my best."
Monroe is one of 37 invitees - 17 college players and 20 incoming freshmen. The 2006 Gatorade Girls Player of the Year her senior season at Fort Lauderdale's Stranahan High, Monroe is one of the top recruits during Semrau's 10 seasons at FSU.
As a freshman, the 6-foot-4 Monroe played in all 34 games and averaged 8.1 points and 6.0 rebounds, proving she was deserving of all the hype coming out of high school.
Her invitation to compete at USA Basketball's team trials - and the invitations of FSU's Britany Miller and Tanae Davis-Cain to contend for spots on the U-21 National Team - is a reflection of the program's more prominent status after three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Former FSU star Brooke Wyckoff (2001 All-ACC) is the last Seminole to play for USA Basketball.
"When you think of USA Basketball, you think of the best of the best," Semrau said. "For them to get this opportunity, it gives them a chance to catch a vision of life beyond Florida State basketball. They can bring some of what they learn back here and give us a greater foundation for us to stand on."
Monroe, Miller and Davis-Cain have been working out together to make the most of their chance. Monroe is considered to have the best shot at earning a spot, but Semrau said Miller's size and Davis-Cain's defense can't be overlooked.
With Stanford's Jayne Appel considered the top center, Monroe likely will compete for a spot at the power forward position. If Monroe makes the team, she'll be heading to Bratislava, Slovakia, for the FIBA U-19 World Championships July 26 through Aug. 5.
"I don't even know where that is," Monroe said.
She can ask Cooper, who played professionally for 11 years in Europe.
SOTO TO FIU: Former Florida State point guard Josue Soto, who announced he was leaving FSU in late March to play elsewhere, is transferring to Florida International University. The 2006 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year from Jacksonville's Arlington Country Day, Soto played in only 13 games as a freshman. Soto must sit out the 2007-08 season at FIU under NCAA transfer rules.
"Colleges from major programs wanted Josue," said Art Alvarez, Soto's primary adviser and his AAU coach with the Miami Tropics. "We're talking about Seton Hall, Indiana, Marquette, South Florida, Duquesne and others such as FAU, Wichita State and Central Florida. But we felt FIU was the right spot."
Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com
