Team USA Men’s 16u Developmental Team Starts the Summer Right

Team USA Men’s Developmental 16u team kicked off their summer session with training camp on May 30th at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Head Coach Don Showalter with his team including Assistant Coaches Eric Flannery and L.J. Goolsby had the daunting task of taking 31 of the nations elite and forming a 12 man team to represent the US. Among the players participating in the training camp were: Lonzo Ball, 6’4” Guard from Chino Hills, CA; Derryck Thornton, 6’2” Guard from Simi Valley, CA and Josh Jackson, 6’6” Guard/Forward from Southfield, MI.

Ball’s Court IQ was well beyond his years, making key passes and recognizing defenses quickly in order to direct his teammates. Rising up as a true leader his hustle helped motivate those around him. Jump shot form was clean and precise allowing him to make key shots when his team needed him to step up.

Thornton’s ball skills were immeasurable compared to his peers, his great handle and hustle allowed him to tear up defenses and consistently draw double teams allowing for the quick pass to an open teammate. His toughness also was well displayed when beating opponents to a spot to take the charge. When fouled, his form from the line was perfect.

Jackson had to be the most diverse and impressive player in the camp. His court IQ was astounding only surpassed by his hustle. Every time there was a play to be made Jackson was there, consistently popping into the open spot on the floor of sliding in on d for a block or steal. He has impressive hops, a good follow through motion and can consistently hit from beyond the arch.

By June 3rd the remaining 16 players conducted shooting drills and began to learn the U.S. playbook. The players making the cut were: Thomas Bryant 6’9″ Forward from Rochester, NY; Bryant Crawford 6’2″ Guard from Kensington, MD; Henry Ellenson 6’9″ Forward/Center from Rice Lake, WI; Terrance Ferguson 6’6″ Guard from Flower Mound, TX; Daniel Giddens 6’10” Forward/Center from Mableton, GA; Harry Giles 6’9″ Forward from Winston-Salem, NC; Josh Jackson 6’6″ Guard/Forward from Southfield, MI; V.J. King 6’6″ Guard/Forward from Akron, OH; Malik Monk 6’3″ Guard from Lepanto, AR; Malik Newman 6’4″ Guard from Jackson, MS; Ivan Rabb 6’10” Forward from Oakland, CA; Devearl Ramsey Forward from Los Angeles, CA; Diamond Stone 6’10” Forward/Center from Milwaukee, WI; Jason Tatum 6’7″ Guard from St. Louis, MO; and Seventh Woods 6’2″ Guard from Columbia, SC. These young men are making the push for the final 12 spots before their final in country practice June 6th before heading to Maldonado, Uruguay to face Mexico in the first round of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

Seventh Woods has astonishing hops being able to get above the rim and throw the rock down being only 6’2″.

Bryant Crawford has good court presence and is unafraid to drive the lane and mix it up inside and his floater is pretty and consistent.

Ivan Rabb has great defensive moves and can be very physical down low.

Harry Giles is a high riser and hustles up and down the court to beat his opponent to positions on the block.

Daniel Giddens is fiercely strong down low, has good post moves and a good jump shot.

Diamond Stone is a beast on the offensive glass.

With these young players already looking into which schools they’ll likely attend upon graduation it’s easy to see why the bar is set at its highest point for Team USA’s Success in the 2013 Season.

Story By:

Kurt Ruffley

Red River Rep

kurt@indihoops.com