Jeremy Lamb of UConn and James Bell of Villanova were named to the 12-man roster for the USA U19 World Championship Team.
The USA squad, featuring five players with prior USA Basketball experience, will look to defend the gold medal won by the U.S. in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
Also named to the 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team were: Keith Appling (Michigan State/Detroit, Mich.); Anthony Brown (Stanford/Huntington Beach, Calif.); Jahii Carson (Mesa High School/*Arizona State/Phoenix, Ariz.); Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.); Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.); Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.); Khyle Marshall (Butler/Davie, Fla.); Doug McDermott (Creighton/Ames, Iowa); Tony Mitchell (North Texas/Dallas, Texas); and Patric Young (Florida/Jacksonville, Fla.).
George Mason coach Paul Hewitt is head coach of the USA U19 World Championship Team, and is being assisted by collegiate head coaches Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s College and Cliff Warren of Jacksonville University.
“I like the depth and versatility of this team, in particular our big guys. I think our big guys are a great presence around the basket and do an excellent job of screening,” said Hewitt. “Defense will have to be a staple for this team and we have work to do. I’m not happy with where we are defensively. I think we made steps, we’re doing some good things, but in order to compete for the gold medal we have to get better.
“The selection was harder than I expected. The young man we decided not to keep, Javon McCrae, it was really just a numbers situation, he played more than well enough to make the team. We just didn’t feel comfortable going over there without three point guards,” Hewitt stated.
