They played as one, as a team, and that stlye of play translated into success that saw the USA men roll to a perfect 9-0 record and capture the gold medal at the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men last summer in New Zealand. It was the first time s
Success From U19 World Championship Carrying Over To Collegiate Season For USA Men
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Jan. 25, 2010 - Colorado Springs, Colorado
They played as one, as a team, and that stlye of play translated into success that saw the USA men roll to a perfect 9-0 record and capture the gold medal at the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men last summer in New Zealand. It was the first time since 1991 that the USA men returned home from a U19 world Championship in possession of the title.
That success has carried over for members of the USA squad with their collegiate teams. Ten of 11 USA team members who are active in their sophomore season show a scoring increase over their freshman season, and all of their teams currently have records of .500 or better.
Check out below how the 2009 USA U19 World Championship Team members are doing for their collegiate squads.
DeAngelo Casto " Washington State (14-6)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team third best 10.0 ppg., a team leading 7.4 rpg. and 2.1 blocked shots per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. He has upped his scoring by 5.6 points a game and increased his rebounding by 3.4 rpg. Has accounted for a season high 18 points twice (Mississippi Valley and Nicholls State) and has snagged 14 rebounds twice (Nicholls state and Idaho).
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team third best 10.0 ppg., a team leading 7.4 rpg. and 2.1 blocked shots per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. He has upped his scoring by 5.6 points a game and increased his rebounding by 3.4 rpg. Has accounted for a season high 18 points twice (Mississippi Valley and Nicholls State) and has snagged 14 rebounds twice (Nicholls state and Idaho).
Seth Curry " Duke (16-3 / #7)
Sitting out the 2009-10 season after transferring to Duke from Liberty.
Ashton Gibbs " Pittsburgh (16-4 / #17)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 17.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg., 2.3 apg., 0.9 spg., and is shooting 40.0 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from 3-point, and 94.4 percent from the foul line. His scoring has increased by 12.8 points a game over the 2008-09 season. Scored a season high 25 points against Indiana, posted 24 points on 6-of-9 3-point shooting and added 8 rebounds in 82-72 win over Syracuse. Named the Big East Conference Player of the Week once.
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 17.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg., 2.3 apg., 0.9 spg., and is shooting 40.0 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from 3-point, and 94.4 percent from the foul line. His scoring has increased by 12.8 points a game over the 2008-09 season. Scored a season high 25 points against Indiana, posted 24 points on 6-of-9 3-point shooting and added 8 rebounds in 82-72 win over Syracuse. Named the Big East Conference Player of the Week once.
Gordon Hayward " Butler (16-4/#18)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 16.1 ppg., 8.2 rpg., and adding 1.8 apg., 1.2 spg., 0.9 bpg., while shooting 467.6 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from 3-point, and 82.3 percent from the foul line. His scoring is up 3.0 ppg. over last season and his rebounding is up 1.7 rpg. Recorded 24 points and 8 rebounds versus Ohio State and Georgetown. Had a season high 25 points versus Illinois-Chicago. Has twice been tagged the Horizon League's Player of the Week in 2009-10.
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 16.1 ppg., 8.2 rpg., and adding 1.8 apg., 1.2 spg., 0.9 bpg., while shooting 467.6 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from 3-point, and 82.3 percent from the foul line. His scoring is up 3.0 ppg. over last season and his rebounding is up 1.7 rpg. Recorded 24 points and 8 rebounds versus Ohio State and Georgetown. Had a season high 25 points versus Illinois-Chicago. Has twice been tagged the Horizon League's Player of the Week in 2009-10.
Shelvin Mack " Butler (16-4/#18)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team second best 15.3 ppg., and adding 3.4 rpg., 3.3 apg., 1.5 spg., while shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from 3-point and 75.4 percent from the foul line. His scoring has increased 3.4 ppg. over last year. Dropped 21 points on UCLA in Bulldogs 69-67 win and had a season high 25 points versus Youngstown State. Has earned 2009-10 Horizon League Player of the Week honors once.
Darius Miller " Kentucky (19-1/ #1)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging 7.5 ppg., 2.7 rpg., 1.9 apg., 0.7 spg., and is shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from 3-point, and 81.3 percent from the foul line. Has bumped his scoring output up by 2.2 points a game. Accounted for 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting overall and 4-of-6 accuracy from 3-point, and added 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in win over Arkansas.
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging 7.5 ppg., 2.7 rpg., 1.9 apg., 0.7 spg., and is shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from 3-point, and 81.3 percent from the foul line. Has bumped his scoring output up by 2.2 points a game. Accounted for 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting overall and 4-of-6 accuracy from 3-point, and added 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in win over Arkansas.
Arnett Moultrie - Texas-El Paso (14-5)
After 19 games in 2009-10, averaging a team third best 11.8 ppg., a squad second best 6.9 rpg., 1.2 apg., 1.6 spg., 0.7 bpg., and is shooting 48.9 percent from the field. His scored is up 3.0 points a game over the 2008-09 season. Posted his second double-double of the season after posting 15 points and 13 rebounds versus Houston. Scored a season high 23 point against Arkansas State.
After 19 games in 2009-10, averaging a team third best 11.8 ppg., a squad second best 6.9 rpg., 1.2 apg., 1.6 spg., 0.7 bpg., and is shooting 48.9 percent from the field. His scored is up 3.0 points a game over the 2008-09 season. Posted his second double-double of the season after posting 15 points and 13 rebounds versus Houston. Scored a season high 23 point against Arkansas State.
John Shurna " Northwestern (14-6)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 17.3 ppg. and 6.7 rpg., while also contributing 2.4 apg., 0.8 spg., 0.8 bpg., and is shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 33.0 percent from 3-point, and 79.8 percent from the foul line. His scoring has jumped 10.0 points a game from last season and he is grabbing 3.7 more rebounds a game. Has scored in double digits in 17 of 20 games, including 20 or more points eight times. Scored a season high 29 points against Central Connecticut and Michigan State, while recording a season best 13 rebounds versus Texas-Pan American. Twice collected 2009-10 Big Ten Player of the Week accolades.
Tyshawn Taylor " Kansas (19-1 / #2)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging 6.9 ppg., 2.6 rpg., 3.6 apg., 1.1 spg., and is shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point. Recorded a season best 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 3-of-4 3-point shooting versus Tennessee Tech, and recorded 13 points and season high 7 assists in win over California.
Howard Thompkins " Georgia (9-9)
After 18 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 17.3 ppg. and 7.9 rpg., while also contributing 1.2 apg., 1.2 spg. 1.2 bpg., and is shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 48.3 percent from 3-point, and 78.2 percent from the foul line. His scoring has leaped by 4.7 points a game. Shot 10-of-12 from the field and scored 24 points and added 6 boards versus Florida. Had a monster 35-point and 15-rebound showing in win over Florida Atlantic. Has been named the 2009-10 SEC Player of the Week once.
Klay Thompson " Washington State (14-6)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 22.3 ppg., and adding 5.0 rpg., 2.5 apg., 1.4spg., while shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from 3-point, and 80.5 percent from the foul line. He has upped his scoring production by 9.8 ppg over last year. Has scored 25+ points in seven games. Pumped in 43 points on 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point versus San Diego. Collected Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week honors twice.
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team leading 22.3 ppg., and adding 5.0 rpg., 2.5 apg., 1.4spg., while shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from 3-point, and 80.5 percent from the foul line. He has upped his scoring production by 9.8 ppg over last year. Has scored 25+ points in seven games. Pumped in 43 points on 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point versus San Diego. Collected Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week honors twice.
Terrico White " Mississippi (16-4)
After 20 games in 2009-10, averaging a team second best 15.4 ppg., and is adding 4.6 rpg., 1.2 apg., 0.8 spg., and is shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from 3-point. His scoring is up 1.7 points a game over 2008-09. Scored a season high 29 points and added 7 rebounds against Jackson State, and put up 25 points and 7 rebounds in a win over Kansas State.
The USA coach staff of head mentor Jamie Dixon from Pittsburgh, and assistants Chris Lowery from Southern Illinois and Purdue head coach Matt Painter, like the USA players are enjoying solid seasons. Dixon has his Panthers out to a 16-4 start and No. 17 ranking. Purdue stands 17-3 and ranked #10 in the AP poll, while Lowery's Salukis' are 12-8.
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