Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), the nation's top-ranked team and arguably the signature name in all of high school basketball, will play in China in March as part of a tour that includes teams from Australia and Lithuania.
According to a press release distributed by the school, the Warriors were invited by agency Atlas Sports and the Chinese National Team to participate in the event, which will make stops in the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian and Jiangxi.
Steve Smith
Photo by Randy Sartin
"It is an honor for our school and our team to be chosen to represent the USA," Oak Hill Academy head coach Steve Smith said via press release. "Over the course of our 2011-12 season, we have played some of the best teams in our country. Competing against some of greatest talent on a global scale will be an invaluable experience for our young athletes and great way to cap a successful season."
Oak Hill Academy is 36-0 this season and ranked No. 1 in MaxPreps.com's Academy Top 10. The Warriors have defeated eight nationally-ranked opponents and feature at least 10 future Division I players. Senior guards
Tyler Lewis and
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera are both strong All-American candidates.
Under Smith, the rural Virginia school has produced a continuous stream of NBA talent, including Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Jennings, Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith. Kevin Durant also spent a year at Oak Hill.
The national powerhouse has made trips to the Virgin Islands, Amsterdam and Spain in past seasons.
Game time and other details were not announced Wednesday. The Warriors host
Westwind Prep International (Phoenix, Ariz.) on Wednesday night.
