2013 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship Team Preliminary Round Opponents Unveiled

Colorado Springs, Colo. • Jan. 15, 2013

FIBA on Jan. 15 in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted the draw to determine the four preliminary round pools for the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men, scheduled for June 27-July 7 in Prague, and the U.S. has been placed in Group D with China (FIBA Asia gold medalist), Ivory Coast (FIBA Africa silver medalist) and Russia (FIBA Europe fourth place).

“The FIBA U19 World Championship is always very competitive,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. “Looking back at the last six competitions, it’s amazing to see that six different countries have claimed the gold medal. It’s going to be extremely difficult to win the gold medal in the Czech Republic but we’re looking forward to the opportunity. 

“I was in the Czech Republic for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women and saw firsthand the passion the Czechs have for their country's teams. I know they will put on a terrific tournament.”

Drawn into Group A for the June 27-29 preliminary round were Canada (FIBA Americas bronze medalist), Croatia (FIBA Europe gold medalist), South Korea (FIBA Asia silver medalist) and Spain (FIBA Europe fifth place); Group B includes Argentina (FIBA Americas fourth place), host Czech Republic, Iran (FIBA Asia bronze medalist) and Lithuania (FIBA Europe silver medalist); while Group C is comprised of Australia (FIBA Oceania gold medalist), Brazil (FIBA Americas silver medalist), Senegal (FIBA Africa gold medalist) and Serbia (FIBA Europe bronze medalist).

The top three finishing teams from each first-round group will advance to the second round, held July 1-3. The 12 nations qualifying for the second round will be divided into Groups E and F. Each team will play the three new teams in its new group, with all results of games played in the preliminary round carrying over to determine the second-round standings.

Teams finishing in first through fourth places in the second round will qualify for the quarterfinals, with the opportunity to advance to the semifinals and finals. The quarterfinals will be held on July 5, semifinals are slated for July 6 and the gold medal game will be contested on July 7.

The complete schedule, including pairings and game times will be announced by FIBA at a later date.

While the Czech Republic earned an automatic berth to the tournament, the remaining 15 nations were determined by the five FIBA zone qualifiers in 2012.

USA Basketball earned its entry by virtue of a gold-medal finish at the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. The 2012 USA U18 National Team posted an unblemished 5-0 record at the qualifying tournament, held June 16-20 in Sao Sebastiáo do Paraiso, Brazil, including an 81-56 victory over host Brazil in the gold medal game. Led by University of Florida head coach Billy Donovan, the U.S. featured a well-balanced scoring attack that averaged 97.2 points and won its five contests by an average of 38.6 points a game.

The USA U19 World Championship Team coaching staff will be selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee at a later date.

The 12-member 2013 USA Men’s U19 World Championship Team will be selected by USA Men’s Junior National Team Committee during training camp, which is scheduled for June 14-19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Only athletes born on or after Jan. 1, 1994 are eligible.

Originally known as the FIBA Junior World Championship, the tournament was held every four years between 1979-2007. FIBA now conducts the U19 World Championship every two years. USA men's teams are 69-13 in the U19/Junior World Championships and have won four gold and three silver medals, most recently finishing with a 7-2 record and in fifth place in 2011.

USA U19 World Championship Team players of note include: Stacey Augmon (1987); Vin Baker (1991); Michael Beasley (2007); Dee Brown (2003); Vince Carter (1995); Nick Collison (1999); Stephen Curry (2007); Seth Curry (2009); Paul Davis (2003); Eric Floyd (1979); Jonny Flynn (2007); Gordon Hayward (2009); Larry Johnson (1987); Jeremy Lamb (2011); Stephon Marbury (1995); Doug McDermott (2011); Gary Payton (1987); Sam Perkins (1979); Wesley Person (1991); J.J. Redick (2003); Bobby Simmons (1999); Scott Skiles (1983); Klay Thompson (2009); Deron Williams (2003); James Worthy (1979).