Backcourt looks strong with University of Washington freshman Abdul Gaddy, Duke-bound Kyrie Irving and Florida phenom Austin Rivers.
Kyrie Irving
Photo by Sam Forencich/USA Basketball
USA Basketball announced its 12-player roster Tuesday for the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship scheduled for later this month in San Antonio, Texas.
The selections include six 2010 high school graduates, five 2011 seniors and the University of Washington's Abdul Gaddy, who started 29 games as a freshman for a team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
"I like the make-up of our team," USA U18 National Team and University of Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel said. "We have really good talent. We have versatility. We have guys who can really defend. We have good athleticism, guys who can score. I'm excited about coaching this group."
The outgoing high school seniors include Vander Blue of Madison Memorial (Madison, Wis.), Joshua Hairston of Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), Kyrie Irving of St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.), Tony Mitchell of Pinkston (Dallas, Texas), Jereme Richmond of Waukegan (Waukegan, Ill.) and Patric Young of Providence (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Irving – headed to Duke – is the most decorated player in the 2010 contingent, earning first team All-America honors from MaxPreps in April.
Trevor Cooney of Sanford (Hockessin, Del.), Quincy Miller of Westchester Academy (High Point, N.C.), LeBryan Nash of Lincoln (Dallas, Texas), Austin Rivers of Winter Park (Winter Park, Fla.) and Amir Williams of Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, Mich.) join the squad from the 2011 class.
Rivers (No. 2), Miller (No. 9), Williams (No. 12) and Nash (No. 15) are regarded as four of the top 15 rising seniors in America by MaxPreps.
The FIBA Americas U18 Championship will be held June 26-30 at St. Mary's University's Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio.
Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt and University at Buffalo head coach Reggie Witherspoon are serving as assistant coaches for the team.
