Video: WeNext Jalen Green Getting to know one of the nation's top 2020 prospects.
In collaboration with the NBA, NBPA and NCAA, USA Basketball announced plans to expand its Men's Junior National Team program.
Expansions include additional training camps and year-round player development programming, with focuses on health and wellness, life skills education and off-court development.
For the first time ever, players from all high school grades will be included in the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team mini-camps. Approximately 20 players from each class (over 80 total) will be selected to participate in six training camps and competitions throughout 2018 and 2019.
In addition to the expanded training on the court, players will participate in a health and wellness program that will be managed by Ed Lacerte, the former head athletic trainer for the Boston Celtics and 1992 Olympic Dream Team.
More players will have the opportunity to represent the United States under USA Basketball's expansion plans.
Photo: Bart Young/USA Basketball
Life-skills education and off-court development will also be major focuses for the expanded program. Player education sessions on healthy relationships, positive decision making, healthy relationships, cultural understanding, character development, collegiate eligibility, and recruiting will all be installed to help guide the athletes to choose the right path for their future.
The expansion will also introduce a first-of-its-kind parent education program to provide families with resources and information to help support their prospect's development on and off the court.
Combined with the NCAA rule changes announced earlier in the month, USA Basketball, the NCAA, NBA and NBPA are all taking initiatives to improve amateur basketball in America.
The 2018-19 schedule of USA Basketball Junior National team camps and competitions:
October 2018: Junior National Team Mini-camp – Colorado Springs, Colo.
April 2019: Junior National Team Mini-camp – Minneapolis, Minn.
April 2019: Nike Hoop Summit – Portland, Ore.
June 2019: USA Basketball Training Camp – Colorado Springs, Colo.
June/July 2019: FIBA Americas U16 Championship – TBD
July 2019: FIBA U19 World Cup – TBD
July 2019: Junior National Team Mini-camp – Colorado Springs, Colo.
