HOUSTON – USA Basketball announced Wednesday that incoming Maryland freshman guard Kevin Huerter is among 12 players who have been named to the 2016 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team.
“I am very excited for Kevin,” said Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, who is serving as an assistant coach on the 2016 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team. “He made the most of his opportunity and did a great job during the practices. Kevin's length and athleticism will allow us to create pressure on our opponents on the defensive end, while his outside shooting and his ability to play at an up-tempo pace will benefit us offensively. It is a very talented group of high character players and Kevin fits in extremely well with our team."
An ESPN four-star recruit, Huerter is a member of a talented 2016 recruiting class that is ranked in the top 10 nationally. The 6-foot-7 combo guard from Clifton Park, NY., played high school basketball at Shenendehowa Central High School. In his junior season, he helped Shenendehowa secure its first state title since 1987 by scoring 25 points in the championship game. For his efforts, Huerter was named the NYSPHSAA Championship Most Valuable Player. Huerter was also named the 2015 Suburban Council Player of the Year.
The USA U18 National Team will compete in the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship July 19-23 in Valdivia, Chile. Not only is a gold medal at stake, but the top four finishing teams will earn a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens who are 18 years old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1998).
Turgeon has been joined on the staff by Shaka Smart (Texas), who will serve as the team's head coach, and Kevin Ollie (UConn), who will be an assistant coach, as well.
Joining Huerter as finalists were: Jarrett Allen (St. Stephen's Episcopal School/Round Rock, Texas); Mohamed Bamba (Westtown School/New York, N.Y.); James Banks (La Lumiere School, Ind./Decatur, Ga.); Matt Coleman (Oak Hill Academy/Norfolk, Va.); Hamidou Diallo (Putnam Science Academy/Corona, N.Y.); Markelle Fultz (DeMatha Catholic H.S./Upper Marlboro, Md.); Quade Green (Newmann-Goretti H.S./Philadelphia, Pa.); Michael Porter Jr. (Father Tolton Catholic H.S./Columbia, Mo.); M.J. Walker (Jonesboro H.S./College Park, Ga.); Paul 'P.J.' Washington (Findlay Prep, Nev./Frisco, Texas) and Trae Young (Norman North H.S./Norman, Okla.).
"I'm really excited about the make-up of our team," said Smart. "First of all, we have 12 high character guys, they are guys who really seem to get along well with each other, and that's important on this team. And then we have some very talented kids at a variety of spots. We have size, we have length. Our point guard play is going to be very important on this team. Those guys are going to have to set the tone in terms of leadership, in terms of getting us into the offense and defense the way we want to get into it. I'm excited about the guys we have."
The USA team, playing in Group B, will open the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 preliminary play on July 19 against Puerto Rico, followed by a July 20 contest against host Chile and aJuly 21 clash versus the U.S. Virgin Islands. Group A teams include Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Dominican Republic.
After playing each of the teams in its preliminary round group, the top two finishing teams from each group advance to the July 22 semifinals, while the bottom two teams from each group will play out for fifth-eighth places. On July 23, the semifinal winners will meet in the gold medal game, and the semifinal losers will play in the bronze medal game.
