Butler Bulldogs forward Khyle Marshall is one of five college basketball players invited to participate in the 2011 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship Team training camp, June 17-24 at the U. S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. A total of 21 players will be competing for a spot on the 12-member team that will represent the United States at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia.
Marshall, one of the highest rated recruits under Brad Stevens, helped Butler to the 2011 NCAA National Championship game. Marshall was extended an invitation by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee, chaired by Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim.
Interesting aside about Marshall, is that he strongly considered attending Marshall University. So he would have had his name on both the front and back of the jersey during his college career. Try having fun with that old “it’s-not-the-name-on-the-back-of-the-jersey-but-the-name on-the-front-that-matters” platitude with him.
Also added to the original list of invited players were Jahii Carson (Mesa High School/Arizona State), Javon McCrea (Buffalo), Scott Wilbekin (Florida) and Cameron Wright (Pittsburgh).
“It’s a great honor and opportunity for Khyle to be invited to try out for the U19 team,” said Butler head coach Brad Stevens, who also will be participating in USA Basketball this summer as an assistant coach for the USA Men’s Team at the World University Games in China. “We are excited for him.”
Previously invited players who will be competing at the training camp are Keith Appling (Michigan State Spartans), Melsahn Basabe (Iowa Hawkeyes), James Bell (Villanova), Anthony Brown (Stanford), Trevor Cooney (Sanford School/Syracuse), Allen Crabbe (California), Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan Wolverines), Joe Jackson (Memphis), Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut), Meyers Leonard (Illinois Fighting Illini), Doug McDermott (Creighton), Travis McKie (Wake Forest), Tony Mitchell (North Texas), Richard Solomon (California), Josiah Turner (Quality Education Academy/Arizona) and Patric Young (Florida).
Recently named George Mason University head coach Paul Hewitt will coach the USA U19 World Championship Team, and Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s College and Cliff Warren of Jacksonville University will serve as assistant coaches.
Marshall was Butler’s leading scorer (5.8) and rebounder (3.8) off the bench, while shooting 51.1% FG. The 6-7 freshman led the Bulldogs in rebounding in NCAA Tournament wins over Pittsburgh (6) and VCU (9), and he wound up as Butler’s third leading rebounder during the six-game NCAA Tournament run.
USA U19 Team finalists will be announced when team training begins June 19. The 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship will be held in Valmiera, Liepaja and Riga, Latvia, June 30-July 10.
Marshall is the third Butler player in three years to participate in the USA U19 Trials. Former Butler players Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack earned a spot on the 2009 USA U19 Team and helped the United States to its first gold medal at the World Championships since 1991.