Evina Westbrook won a number of different uniforms this summer and travelled a lot of miles.
But the result was the same.
The 6-foot point guard and a senior-to-be at South Salem High School won a world championship playing for the USA Women’s U18 National Team and won a second-straight national championship playing for the Cal Stars in AAU.
“I mean it’s basically a once in a lifetime opportunity so I had to make the most of it every second that I could,” said Westbrook, who led South Salem to the past two Class 6A state championships.
In the spring and summer she took part in tryouts with the USA’s national team and from a pool of 36 players – most of who were to be college freshmen – she was selected to the final roster of 13 for the 2016 FIBA America’s U18 Championship.
“Once you get that invite, it’s pretty special to know that the USA has recognized you,” Westbrook said.
In the championship game July 17 in Valdivia, Chile – which the United States defeated Canada 109-62 – Westbrook scored three points, had one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block.
In the five games at the World Championships Westbrook averaged 5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 40 percent from the field.
Playing for the national team she took on different roles, both in position and, for once, she didn’t have to lead a team.
“It’s a lot different,” Westbrook said. “And I think that’s one of the things that becoming mature on the basketball court and off the court is I had to learn a different role. I had to take a step back mentally.
“You have these 12 all-star players, and I was playing a different position. With USA, I played the three the whole time. And so it was just different, but it’s an experience that there was really nothing like it. I grew as a player.”
Back playing for her AAU team, the Cal Stars, Westbrook led the team to a 69-59 win July 30 against All Ohio in the Silver Division of the EYBL National Championship in Augusta, South Carolina.
It was the team’s second consecutive championship, and let Westbrook finish her AAU career a winner.
“I think it was a great thing for me after finding out that we were in the silver bracket, I told my team this is my last AAU season and I’m not going out in a loss,” Westbrook said.
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler
Evina Westbrook (eighth from right) played on the winning United States team at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
Evina Westbrook celebrates winning the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
Evina Westbrook, a senior at South Salem, drives during the championship game of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.