USA Basketball U19 Roster Is Set
By Kyle Kensing
The USA Basketball U19 roster is set for the FIBA World Championship, which begins June 27 in the Czech Republic.
Reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and Oklahoma State star guard Marcus Smart headlines a roster for head coach Billy Donovan, which also features a pair of high schoolers: Justise Winslow (Houston) and Jahlil Okafor (Chicago).
Both Winslow and Okafor are five-star prospects in the signing class of 2014, and the international competition should only bolster their already lofty recruiting profiles.
Also looking to make a splash is incoming Arizona Wildcats prospect Aaron Gordon. The 2013 McDonald’s All-American has created quite the buzz at U19 tryouts. In an interview with Sporting News‘ Mike DeCourcy, Gordon touted his versatility — he also put it on display with a thundering dunk.
Gordon’s future Pac-12 Conference rival Nigel Williams-Goss landed a spot. The incoming Washington Huskies prospect is in a backcourt with Duke Blue Devils guard Rasheed Sulaimon and Louisiana-Lafayette junior-to-be Elfrid Payton. Payton is notable as the team’s sole mid-major representative.
The frontcourt features a pair of 2013 Final Four participants in Syracuse Orange forward Jerami Grant, and Louisville Cardinals big man Montrezl Harrell.
Here is the complete U19 roster:
Michael Frazier, G, FloridaGators
Aaron Gordon, F, Archbishop Mitty H.S./Arizona Wildcats
Jerami Grant, F, Syracuse Orange
Montrezl Harrell, F, LouisvilleCardinals
Jahlil Okafor, C, Whitney Young H.S.
Elfrid Payton, G, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
Marcus Smart, G, Oklahoma StateCowboys
Jarnell Stokes, F, Tennessee Volunteers
Rasheed Sulaimon, G, Duke Blue Devils
Mike Tobey, F/C, Virginia Cavaliers
Nigel Williams-Goss, G/F, Findlay Prep/Washington Huskies
Justise Winslow, F, St. John’s H.S.