Archbishop Mitty of San Jose girls basketball coach Sue Phillips was named on Monday as one of two USA Basketball Co-Developmental Coaches of the Year.
Phillips became the head coach of the USA Basketball U16 women’s national team earlier in 2013 and then in the summer guided the Americans to a perfect record and gold medal at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 championship.
“I am excited and humbled to receive such an honor, and I would like to thank the USA Basketball Board of Directors,” Phillips said. “While this award is directed my way, this honor is a reflection of many people, and I am thankful to my assistant coaches, USA Basketball’s support staff and, most importantly, the players.”
Phillips shared the award with USA U16 boys national coach Don Showalter of Iowa City, Iowa. Showalter’s team also was unbeaten and won the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 title.
Since becoming the head coach at Mitty in 1993 and not including one year when she was a college assistant (2001), Phillips’ program has produced five CIF state titles and numerous Division I college players. She was the 1999 Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year after the Monarchs finished 31-0 and won the CIF Division I state crown.
Two key players on the U16 and U18 national teams, one of whom Phillips coached last summer – Katie Lou Samuelson from Mater Dei of Santa Ana and Gabby Green from St. Mary’s of Berkeley of the U18 team – just faced off against each other last Saturday in Inglewood.
