Team USA’s U19 World Cup squad has cut down to the final 18.
The team is being coached by Kentucky’s John Calipari. Like all coaches, Calipari lamented the fact that some player’s dreams of playing with Team USA would end with the latest cuts.
“There was anxiety this morning for me because you know you’re going to disappoint some of these kids.”
Cutting down to the final number will also be difficult but in a good way. Seven of the 18 finalist have already won gold medals with Team USA. There is a ton a versatility among the finalist something Calipari has gotten used to at Kentucky.
We’re pretty long and athletic. It looks like we’re going to be somewhat positionless and we’re going to have some 6-8 guys that can play point guard, bring it up and make plays.
Team USA will be going for their 3rd consecutive title.
The finalist are as follows:
Bol Bol (Mater Dei H.S./Santa Ana, Calif.)
Jordan Brown (Woodcreek H.S./Roseville, Calif.)*
Hamidou Diallo (Kentucky/Queens, NY)*
Carsen Edwards (Purdue/Atascocita, Texas)
Kevin Huerter (Maryland/Clifton Park, N.Y.)*
Louis King (Hudson Catholic H.S./Columbus, N.J.)
Kevin Knox II (Tampa Catholic H.S./Tampa, Fla.)*
Romeo Langford (New Albany H.S./New Albany, Ind.)
Brandon McCoy (Cathedral Catholic H.S/San Diego, Calif.)
Chuma Okeke (Westlake H.S./Atlanta, Ga.)
Josh Okogie (Georgia Tech/Snellville, Ga.)
Payton Pritchard (Oregon/West Linn, Ore.)
Immanuel Quickly (John Carroll School/Bel Air, Md.)*
Cameron Reddish (Westtown School/Norristown, Pa.)
Mitchell Robinson (Chalmette H.S./New Orleans, La.)
Quinton Rose (Temple/Rochester, N.Y.)
PJ Washington (Findlay Prep/Las Vegas, Nev.)*
Austin Wiley (Auburn/Hoover, Ala.)*
* – Previously Won Gold Medal with Team USA
