The 2K Sports Preseason All-American Team Heads To France
Words. Aron Phillips
What do Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker have in common? Other than all being NBA superstars, these three – along with almost 60 others – have played in the legendary World Basketball Tournament in Douai, France.
Now in its 23rd year, the World Basketball Tournament features the best under-19 talent in the world with the top national teams from Australia, Canada, France, Lithuania, Puerto Rico and the United States (represented by the 2K Sports Preseason All-American Team). With five days of competition, the tournament will prepare each squad for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship later this summer.
While American high school players are only allowed to be flown out to a tournament two times during their prep career, international games are viewed as cultural experiences and have no limitations on appearances. It’s a good thing, because all the Class of 2010 players that makeup the 2K Sports Preseason All-American Team will surely be playing in their fair share of postseason tournaments next year.
It’s time to meet the squad…
Dominique Ferguson | SF (Lawrence North High School / Indianapolis, IN)
Trae Golden | SG (McEachern High School / Powder Springs, GA)
Joshua Hairston | PF (Courtland High School / Spotsylvania, VA)
Ryan Harrow | PG (George Walton Comprehensive High School / Marietta, GA)
Cory Joseph | PG (Findlay College Prep / Toronto, Ontario, CAN)
Justin Martin | SG (Lawrence North High School / Indianapolis, IN)
Ray McCallum | PG (Detroit Country Day School / Beverly Hills, MI)
Jordan McRae | SF (Liberty County High School / Hinesville, GA)
Jason Morris | SF (The Hotchkiss School / Lakeville, CT)
Josh Selby | PG (Lake Clifton High School / Hyattsville, MD)
Jared Sullinger | PF (Northland High School / Columbus, OH)
Tristan Thompson | PF (Findlay College Prep / Brampton, Ont., CAN)
There are also six “honorary teammates” that were invited to be on the team, but who could not attend due to academic responsibilities that conflicted with the tournament schedule. They are:
Perry Jones | C (Duncanville High School / Duncanville, TX)
Brandon Knight | PG (Pine Crest High School / Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Tyler Lamb | SG (Mater Dei High School / Santa Ana, CA)
Adreian Payne | PF (Jefferson High School / Dayton, OH)
Joshua Smith | C (Kentwood High School / Covington, WA)
Trey Zeigler | SG (Mount Pleasant High School / Mount Pleasant, MI)
This group of guys will be playing five games from Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 14 as they hope to regain the crown. Coached by Ed Schilling, former assistant coach at the University of Memphis under John Calipari and current Executive Director and trainer of the Champions Academy, he will be joined by assistants Pat Riddlesprigger, Brian Sitter and Scott Lane.
The past eight tournament MVPs have been Andrew Albicy (France), Omri Casspi (Israel), Chase Budinger (USA), Ty Lawson (USA), Aurélien Salmon (France), Jure Močnik (Slovenia), De’Angelo Alexander (Lithuania), Carmelo Anthony (USA) and Marko Popović (Croatia). We can only hope that a member of the 2K Sports Preseason All-American Team gets it done this year.
For more information on the World Basketball Tournament in Douai, visit http://www.tournoi-douai.com/
All the videos of this event are avalaible for scouts and fans.
one email address for informations and order:
imagesbballdouai@yahoo.fr
Jordan McCrae goes to my high school