USA Men's U19 World Championship Team >> Additional Quotes
USA Men's U19 World Championship Team >> Additional Quotes
June 18, 2009 - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jamie Dixon
USA and University of Pittsburgh head coach
On the trials:
It's (the trials) great. It's been a great experience, great to be a part of, a lot of kids playing hard and out here for the right reasons and giving up their summer to play in this event and I think they understand the importance of it. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
It's (the trials) great. It's been a great experience, great to be a part of, a lot of kids playing hard and out here for the right reasons and giving up their summer to play in this event and I think they understand the importance of it. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
What do you think about the strengths of your U19 team?
We're a pretty good shooting team from perimeter and we have some big guys who can shoot the ball, so I think that's going to be a strength. I'm concerned that we don't really have experienced point guards but I think we've got some wings that can make some plays. I think it's a team that yet to be determined and needs time to evolve and we'll see where we grow.
We're a pretty good shooting team from perimeter and we have some big guys who can shoot the ball, so I think that's going to be a strength. I'm concerned that we don't really have experienced point guards but I think we've got some wings that can make some plays. I think it's a team that yet to be determined and needs time to evolve and we'll see where we grow.
What will be your primary focus when you resume your training camp?
The big thing at trials was to get everybody an opportunity, give them a fair chance to show what they can do and play themselves on to the team. Now at this point we've got our team and we've got to just mold it. We didn't do a lot of team stuff during these three days (of trials) but what we're now going to do is focus on defending as a team and then running our offense, and just trying to play unselfish, playing hard and playing smart at the same time.
The big thing at trials was to get everybody an opportunity, give them a fair chance to show what they can do and play themselves on to the team. Now at this point we've got our team and we've got to just mold it. We didn't do a lot of team stuff during these three days (of trials) but what we're now going to do is focus on defending as a team and then running our offense, and just trying to play unselfish, playing hard and playing smart at the same time.
Jim Boeheim
Chair of the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee (Syracuse University)
Chair of the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee (Syracuse University)
On the 2009 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Championship Team:
I think this is a well-balanced team. They'll have to get the job done as a team. They may not have a star-caliber player, but they have a lot of very good players. At this stage the U19 team looks like they will work very well together. All of the U19 trials participants played very hard throughout the trials. There has been no lack of effort, and that's a good sign.
I think this is a well-balanced team. They'll have to get the job done as a team. They may not have a star-caliber player, but they have a lot of very good players. At this stage the U19 team looks like they will work very well together. All of the U19 trials participants played very hard throughout the trials. There has been no lack of effort, and that's a good sign.
DeAngelo Casto
Washington State University
Washington State University
How does it feel to be named to this team?
At first I was in shock. I didn't know what was going to happen because there are so many great players here. As soon as I heard my name called " luckily I was the first one and I didn't have to sweat it out to the end " I was so happy. I tried not to smile. I just tried to stay professional, but I'm just so happy.
At first I was in shock. I didn't know what was going to happen because there are so many great players here. As soon as I heard my name called " luckily I was the first one and I didn't have to sweat it out to the end " I was so happy. I tried not to smile. I just tried to stay professional, but I'm just so happy.
What will it mean to you to represent the USA in a world competition?
It will mean everything to me. I'm someone that doesn't come from a lot, that has been through a lot. This opportunity to go out and represent my country is really important to me. I just thank God for the opportunity.
Was there anything in particular you tried to do during the trials?
No. If you want to play for your country you have to play hard and play with passion. That's how you got invited here and that's how you have to make the team. I just tried to play with heart and passion and let everyone know that I really want this and want to be part of something great. I just wanted them to know that I care about my teammates and people around me and I can make the team better on and off the court.
No. If you want to play for your country you have to play hard and play with passion. That's how you got invited here and that's how you have to make the team. I just tried to play with heart and passion and let everyone know that I really want this and want to be part of something great. I just wanted them to know that I care about my teammates and people around me and I can make the team better on and off the court.
What can you bring to this team?
The heart and passion and the fire. The extra burst, whether it's off the bench or just sitting on the bench or just talking to guys. I'm not someone who has ever been in the spotlight and I don't care about the spotlight. I just want to play for the USA and make the team the best I can.
The heart and passion and the fire. The extra burst, whether it's off the bench or just sitting on the bench or just talking to guys. I'm not someone who has ever been in the spotlight and I don't care about the spotlight. I just want to play for the USA and make the team the best I can.
Seth Curry
Duke University
Duke University
How did it feel to be selected to the team and have the opportunity to represent the USA?
I was definitely nervous. I was really excited to make the team. I'm ready to get practice started and go to New Zealand and hopefully get a gold medal.
I was definitely nervous. I was really excited to make the team. I'm ready to get practice started and go to New Zealand and hopefully get a gold medal.
Was there anything in particular you tried to do during the trials?
No. You can't change your game for the trials. You just have to do what you do best. One thing I do best is shoot it and that's what I tried to do. I just tried to make as many shots as possible and just tried to defend.
No. You can't change your game for the trials. You just have to do what you do best. One thing I do best is shoot it and that's what I tried to do. I just tried to make as many shots as possible and just tried to defend.
Did you have an opportunity to talk to your brother (Stephen who was a member of the 2007 USA U19 Team) about the trials?
Yeah I talked to Stephen about it. He said ‘just be you. Don't change your game at all. Just go out and do what made you successful all year.'
A lot of roles have to be filled on this team. What can you bring?
I definitely can bring the ability to shoot and stretch the defense. I can be a playmaker. When the defense tries to stop the jump shot I can get to the hole and make plays for other people.
I definitely can bring the ability to shoot and stretch the defense. I can be a playmaker. When the defense tries to stop the jump shot I can get to the hole and make plays for other people.
Ashton Gibbs
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
How does it feel to be named to this team?
I was nervous at first, of course. Once I heard my name, it's just a tremendous honor to play for the USA. You look at other players like Kobe, LeBron, Chris Paul " you just know it's a tremendous honor and a big steeping stone in getting to your next career.
Was there anything in particular you tried to do during the trials?
I just wanted to play as hard as I could and take whatever the defense gave me on offense. Defensively I just wanted to apply as much ball pressure as I could because that's what Coach Dixon likes. From there I just tried to take whatever I could get.
I just wanted to play as hard as I could and take whatever the defense gave me on offense. Defensively I just wanted to apply as much ball pressure as I could because that's what Coach Dixon likes. From there I just tried to take whatever I could get.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
I think leadership, defensive ball pressure and outside shooting. If you give me an open shot I'm going to do my best to knock it down. I'm a ball-handler and a vocal leader as well.
I think leadership, defensive ball pressure and outside shooting. If you give me an open shot I'm going to do my best to knock it down. I'm a ball-handler and a vocal leader as well.
Having played for Coach Dixon, do you see part of your role being explaining the system and what he looks for?
Yeah. That's what I mean by being a leader. I know what Coach Dixon likes. He is a defensive minded coach who also likes tough guys who can rebound. He likes guys who can knock down open shots as well. I'm going to express that to my teammates and hopefully we can do our best to get the gold medal.
Gordon Hayward
Butler University
Butler University
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It's a great feeling. It's an honor to have that USA on the front of your chest. I was also real proud of (Shelvin Mack), another Butler teammate. I'm just proud of our program and where Butler's going.
Was there anything in particular you tried to do during the trials?
I just went out there and played basketball. We've been doing it for so long. I just tried to space it out and be unselfish. The coaches weren't really looking for people who could score, because we can all do that. That's why we're here. I just went out there and had fun.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
Just some versatility. Spacing on the court and spread out the defense. I can shoot the long ball, but I can also play multiple positions, so that's where I expect to help the team.
What does it say for Butler to have two players named to this team?
It's just a great honor. It kind of shows where we're going and what we're about. Not many people know about Butler as a program. It just shows what Coach Stevens has done and all the coaches before him and the tradition we have.
Shelvin Mack
Butler University
How does it feel to be named to this team?
I'm very excited for the opportunity, even to come here in the first place. I think I'm very blessed to have the opportunity to play for the United States of America.
When you heard your name did you feel relieved or excited?
It was both relief and excitement. My name was kind of at the end of the line, but I was confident in the way I played and what I did out here.
Was there anything in particular you tried to do during the trials?
Not really. I just tried to come out here and play my game and do the things I can. I just tried to play defense and play as hard as I could.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
Energy and defense. Whatever Coach needs me to do, I can take that role.
Darius Miller
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It was an incredible feeling. I never really dreamed about being able to represent the country, and it's a great honor to be a part of it. It's a great feeling, really.
Was there anything in particular you tried to do during the trials?
I just tried to play my game. I tried to play an all-around game and play defense, rebound and do what the coaches wanted me to.
There are a lot of roles on this team. What do you hope to bring?
Coach talked about defense and rebounding, so I'm really going to help the team out in that aspect. I'm just going to try and fill in where he needs me. We have to grow as a team and see where everybody is going to be and what kind of role they're going to have. I'm pretty sure Coach will put everybody where he needs them.
Arnett Moultrie
UTEP
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It's a great honor to represent my team and country.
What do you think you did to impress the committee?
I played hard, I rebounded, posted up, scored on the block and ran the floor.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
Rebounding, playing hard and hustling.
Moving forward, what does the team need to focus on to ready itself for the competition?
Playing as a team. Playing together and just building our chemistry.
What will it mean to you to go overseas and compete internationally for your country?
It's going to mean a lot. Now we have one goal and that's to win the gold.
John Shurna
Northwestern University
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It's just a tremendous honor and opportunity to represent your country. Going against the best competition in the world; as far as basketball goes I don't think you can ask for much more.
What do you think you did to impress the committee?
Everyone here is extremely talented. We all just gave it our best effort. I just played as hard as I could and left it all out there.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
I'm just going to try and be a good team player. I'm going to work hard and try to help the team win no matter what it takes.
Moving forward, what does the team need to focus on to ready itself for the competition?
I think we just need to keep practicing and playing hard. The coaches said everyone is going for the USA, so we just need to work hard and get ready for New Zealand.
Tyshawn Taylor
University of Kansas
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It's a great honor. When I first got the papers to tryout, I was kind of excited. Coming to these trials and playing my best, and having these great coaches notice that is a great honor.
It's a great honor. When I first got the papers to tryout, I was kind of excited. Coming to these trials and playing my best, and having these great coaches notice that is a great honor.
What do you think you did to impress the committee?
I just played hard. I got my teammates involved and wasn't selfish. I just played my game.
Moving forward, what does the team need to focus on to ready itself for the competition?
Defense. I think we're all unselfish players and that showed even in the pickup games. I think defense is one thing we have to work on as a team. Coach Dixon said were going to focus on defense a lot.
What will it mean to you to go overseas and compete internationally for your country?
It's going to mean so much. For the people that got cut, for my school, family, and everybody. It's going to mean so much. I appreciate these people noticing that I am good enough to play on this team.
Howard Thompkins
University of Georgia
University of Georgia
How does it feel to be named to this team?
Any great player who has ever played this game has gone through USA and competed at the international level. I just find it a blessing from God to be able to participate in something like this.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
I try to bring versatility. Anytime the guards need help in the backcourt I help them. I can knock down threes, play my post game and just do anything and everything to help the team.
Moving forward, what does the team need to focus on to ready itself for the competition?
Becoming a unit and winning is the most important thing so we can come back with a gold medal. We're not settling for anything else and I'm not expecting anything else.
What will it mean to you to go overseas and compete internationally for your country?
I might be speechless the first time I put my jersey on. It's going to feel great.
Klay Thompson
Wasington State University
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It's a tremendous honor, especially being able to play on an international level against the competition we will be facing. It will be a great experience and I think all of us will come away better players. It means a lot to represent Washington State and it will mean a lot for the other players to represent their schools as well. Most importantly, though, we need to come together as a team and try and win a gold for our country.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
Whatever they need me to do. Whether it's defend, rebound or shoot the ball it doesn't matter. I'll be excited whatever my role is. Whatever it is I'll be fully willing to do.
Moving forward, what does the team need to focus on to ready itself for the competition? Defensive pressure. We'll always work on our offense but that won't always be there for you like your defense will. We just need to have consistent defense.
Terrico White
University of Mississippi
How does it feel to be named to this team?
It means a lot to me to make this team. I'm very honored just to be on this team and be able to play for the U.S.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
I showed the coaches I can play positions 1-4. I just showed them that my defense is better. That was my main focus coming out here.
Moving forward, what does the team need to focus on to ready itself for the competition?
Playing more as a team. We just really need to start hustling more.
What will it mean to you to go overseas and compete internationally for your country?
It's going to mean a lot. My whole life I have been waiting for something like this. Now that it's finally come it's going to mean a whole lot.
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