DURHAM, N.C. – Duke seniors Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith headline a list of 20 players named to the 2010 USA Basketball Men’s Select Team as announced by USA Basketball on Thursday. The team, featuring the top upperclassman in the NCAA, has been selected to train against the USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its upcoming July training camp in Las Vegas.
Joining Singler and Smith on the 2010 USA Basketball Select squad are: Lavoy Allen (Temple); William Buford (Ohio State); LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor); Jimmer Fredette (BYU); Scotty Hopson (Tennessee); Scoop Jardine (Syracuse); JaJuan Johnson (Purdue); Jon Leuer (Wisconsin); Shelvin Mack (Butler); Marcus Morris (Kansas); Jacob Pullen (Kansas State); John Shurna (Northwestern); Chris Singleton (Florida State); Howard Thompkins (Georgia); Mike Tisdale (Illinois); Kemba Walker (Connecticut); Chris Wright (Dayton); and Tyler Zeller (North Carolina).
Also, USA Basketball announced that serving as co-head coaches of the USA Select Team are accomplished collegiate mentors Lorenzo Romar (Washington) and Jay Wright (Villanova).
Members of the USA Select Team will converge on Las Vegas and conduct a private training session July 19 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PDT), then train with the USA National Team July 20-23 (12:00-3:00 p.m. PDT). All practices will take place at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion.
“We believe bringing in a USA Basketball select team to train against the USA National Team will help our team get better prepared for the upcoming FIBA World Championship,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman. “In 2007 and 2008 we brought in to the national team training camps USA select teams comprised of young, up-and-coming NBA players and that proved not only beneficial for our national team, but for those select team players who got a great training opportunity and became involved in USA Basketball’s pipeline. This will be a tremendous opportunity for these collegians to get a look at the next level.”
USA Basketball Men’s National Team, in preparation for the Aug. 28-Sept. 12 FIBA World Championship, will open its 2010 training with a July 19-24 team training camp in Las Vegas. The USA training camp will feature daily practice sessions from 12-3 p.m. (PDT) July 20-23 at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion. The USA practices are closed to the general public. The camp will culminate with the 2010 USA Basketball Showcase, a Blue-White intra-squad game that will be held on Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m. (PDT) at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV. The USA training camp will also feature daily practice sessions from 12-3 p.m. (PDT) July 20-23 at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion. Tickets are now on sale for the 2010 USA Basketball Showcase. Tickets are priced $75, $50, $35 for plaza seats and $18 and $12 for balcony and can be purchased by calling 866-388-FANS or on line at www.UNLVtickets.com.
Select Team members with prior USA Basketball experience include Mack, Shurna and Thompkins who were members of USA Basketball’s 2009 U19 World Championship Team that finished 9-0 in New Zealand to claim the gold medal. Additionally, Singler and Smith were teammates on the USA’s U18 Championship that captured gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship and they were again teammates on the 2007 USA Junior National Select Team that defeated am international select team in the Nike Hoop Summit. Hopson was a member of the victorious 2008 USA Junior National Select Team in the Nike Hoop Summit, while Walker was a member of the 2008 USA FIBA Americas U18 Championship Team that collected a silver medal. Johnson has USA Basketball experience through the 2009 USA Basketball Trials.
Both Romar and Wright have extensive international experience as USA Basketball coaches. Romar was head coach of the USA’s 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship Team that won gold, and an assistant coach with the 2003 USA Pan American Games and 1997 USA 22 & Under World Championship teams. Wright was head mentor for the USA’s 2007 Pan American Games Team and led the 2005 USA World University Games Team to a gold medal showing, and was an assistant with the 2000 USA World Championship for Young Men Qualifier.
Featuring players from 19 different colleges, Duke is the only institution to feature two players. The 20 Select Team players include nine who will be seniors in 2010-11 and 11 who will be juniors.
Eight collegiate conferences are represented, with the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 each listing four, while Atlantic 10, Big East and SEC each have a pair, respectively, and the Horizon and Mountain West have one player on the roster.
USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions. For more information about USA Basketball, visit www.usabasketball.com.
Tag Archives: Nolan Smith
Duke’s Singler and Smith named team captains for 2010-11
DURHAM, N.C. – Seniors Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were named team captains for the 2010-11 men’s basketball season, head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced on Tuesday. Both players are first time team captains.
“We’re really excited about naming our co-captains so early this year, and the reason is obvious – Nolan and Kyle are our leaders,” Krzyzewski said. “They have big shoes to fill. Losing the three seniors, who all were outstanding leaders, is the biggest gap we have to fill. But we’re confident that these two young men can do it.”
Singler, the 2010 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a junior while leading Duke to a 35-5 record and the school's fourth NCAA Championship. He became one of 18 players in school history to score over 700 points in a single season, finishing with 707 points in 2010. Singler, a two-time AP honorable mention All-America selection, ranks 18th on Duke's career scoring list with 1,767 points. He is also 11th on the career three-point field goals chart with 205, 18th with 762 rebounds and 15th with 95 blocked shots. Singler has scored in double-figures 95 times with 32 games with 20 or more points scored. He also has 20 career double-doubles to his credit. Singler, a three-time All-ACC selection and the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2008, has helped Duke to a 93-18 (.838) record over the last three seasons. He has been a member of back-to-back ACC Tournament Championship teams in 2009 and 2010, making the ACC All-Tournament team both years and earning ACC Tournament MVP honors this year.
"Nolan and I have grown so much over the last three years and now it is time for both of us step forward and become vocal leaders of this team,” Singler added. “I am honored to be a team captain and take great pride in my ability to help lead the team. We had three great senior leaders a year ago and Nolan and I are determined to follow their example.”
Smith is coming off a breakout junior campaign in which he averaged 17.4 points per game, a 9.0 point per game increase over his sophomore season. He collected NCAA Tournament South Region Most Outstanding Player honors after scoring a career-high 29 points in Duke’s 78-71 win over Baylor in Houston. Smith also earned NCAA All-Final Four Team, ACC All-Tournament Team and second team All-ACC honors a year ago. Smith became the 60th player in Duke history to top the 1,000-point plateau in 2010 and ranks 45th at Duke with 1,147 career points. He has scored in double figures in 59 career games, including 36 times as a junior.
"Being named team captain along with Kyle is a huge honor," Smith said. "I am excited about my leadership role with the 2010-11 team. We have high goals set for this team and the only way we can accomplish them is with hard work and great leadership."
The Blue Devils are 93-18 since Singler and Smith joined the program, with the 93 victories matching the fifth-best three-year win total in school history. Duke is 52-8 over the last three seasons with the tandem in the starting lineup.
Duke’s Rollin’ Nolan Smith helps bring the title back to Durham
INDIANAPOLIS - Nolan Smith achieved a goal last season in helping Duke win their fourth NCAA title in a fabulously entertaining 61-59 win over Butler. Smith opened up -
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BDN is heading back to Durham the hard way, driving. So there is a lot to come and we will get to it ASAP. Welcome the team back for us and send your pics and we'll post them.
Duke nips Butler 61-59 and are crowned National Champions
INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Butler Bulldogs to claim the schools and Mike Krzyzewski's fourth national championship on Monday evening in Indianapolis.
The game went down to the wire as Gordon Hayward's sixty foot shot bounded off the glass and Duke held on for life for a classic national final win. The Blue Devils immediately took to mid court, hugs everywhere before the Blue Devils watched CBS's "One shining moment."
There was no reason for the hometown favorite Butler Bulldogs to hold their heads down, for they played good enough to win but fell just short. The Bulldogs had a fabulous season, one they'll remember for years to come and they fought the tradition-laden Blue Devils tooth and nail until the buzzer sounded.
"I've been fortunate enough to be in eight national championship games and this was a classic. This was the toughest and best one," said Krzyzewski who tied Adolph Rupp with four national titles.
He remains first in NCAA tournament wins with 77 and has twelve Final Four wins, second only to John Wooden of UCLA. Krzyzewski is now 4-4 in national championship games.
Kyle Singler led the way for Duke with 19 points and 9 rebounds and his defense helped hold Butler star Gordon Hayward to 2 of 11 shooting from the field. Hayward ended the game with 12 points as did Shelvin Mack.
"When I saw Hayward's shot bounce off the rim, the team came together in a special moment," said Singler.
Jon Scheyer finished his Duke career with a 15 point effort to go with a team high 5 assists. "They were tough and I can only imagine how they feel especially with an end like that.
For Scheyer, the end means a national championship just as it does for fellow seniors, Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas.
Once again, Zoubek led the team in rebounding with ten and that earned him the praise of Krzyewski. "I thought Zoubs on his out of bounds defense was great and then he adjusts and alters the shot, getting the rebound was so fitting for Zoubek. Brian elevated out team over these last seven weeks to where we have a chance to play and win a national championship."
Krzyzewski also defended Brian when a media member asked him about his up and down career. That's just Krzyzewski protecting his players and wanting Brian to be questioned about his play this season and not the past.
Thomas added six points and he finally cracked a smile at game's end. Thomas has been intense throughout the tournaments and he now has the coveted national championship ring.
The Blue Devils bench did not score but they provided breaks for the starters. If you were told the bench would not score, you would have likely thought Duke lost, but that is a testament to the veteran leadership.
After being out rebounded in the first half, Duke hit the glass better in the second half and that was a huge key in a tight game. The final margin was 37 to 35 in the Blue Devils favor.
Duke finishes a special season with a 35-5 record and the team will now return to Durham for a raucous celebration.
BDN has been on the Duke beat all season long and we'll have more to come on the Blue Devils' fabulous March. After all, the road ends in Indianapolis and Duke was the last team standing.
Enjoy the moment Blue Devil Nation for these opportunities are rare
INDIANAPOLIS - Hey Duke fans! Live in the moment for opportunities to win a national title don't come around often. Take a moment and realize how lucky you are as a fan to follow such a great program and a great team.
From the Duke coaches to the players, there is nothing but solid character on the 2009-10 Blue Devils team and it's time to recognize and cherish that. Just ask UNC fans who are coming off a title how long ago that seems now? If it happens, enjoy it, savor it, live it.
Before you begin to worry if Kyle Singler will return or when the next recruit will commit, live in the here and now. Immerse yourself in the here and now and enjoy rooting for the team everybody in the nation will be watching this evening.
Make no mistake, that the majority of fans out there would kill to have a program like Duke's, so recognize how lucky and blessed you are to have them as your team.
It's been an amazing season and that season may well end in a fourth National Championship and how amazing is that? I mean, who thought this would happen after Gerald Henderson left or Elliot Williams transferred?
This Duke team has succeeded at meeting every goal it set forth to date and you will never see a more likable and grounded roster of kids than this seasons. No matter what they have been faced with, they have met the challenge with success.
Bozo media types are saying Duke had an easy road. Well, they beat the PAC 10 Champions, the Big 10 Champions and the Big East Champions to get here and the Horizon Champions may be added to the list in about seven hours.
But don't get caught up in all the hate and realize that a lot of it is fabricated to begin with. Worry instead if Duke will defeat a Butler team that is laying a trap. But know your Blue Devils will show up and I mean they will be ready.
I have a good feeling that Duke will be atop the world by midnight, but should they slip, these guys are still champions. It is rare to have senior leadership like Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Jon Scheyer and they should be cuddled by the fan base.
If Kyle Singler goes pro, wish him the best for he will have left you with something special. What I am saying is that nothing should take away from the joy that only two teams will experience when the ball tips at 9:21 tonight and no I am not saying Kyle is gone, so relax and don't go there.
Oh, and make sure you greet these Blue Devils in a big way when they return. And do me a favor Blue Devil Nation, cheer hard for me as I will still be on the road back to Durham. In fact, a video of the return would be appreciated or a tape of any local coverage of the event.
It's been one heck of a ride and it's one that nobody should want to end.
BDN Previews the National Championship – Duke [34-5] vs Butler [33-4]
INDIANAPOLIS - The Duke Blue Devils will take on the Butler Bulldogs in a game that tips at 9:21 eastern and the winner will be the 2010 National Champion.
Butler was ranked 11th in the pre season and they are riding a 25 game winning streak. They have not only defeated three top ten teams in Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State, but they held them all to less than 60 points. In short, these Bull Dogs live up to their name for they are one tough bunch of kids.
Both Duke and Butler covet defense and that alone should make for a grinding game while they feel each other out. Butler has held 12 of their last 13 opponents under 60, while Duke is allowing just 61 points per game.
Butler had 12 steals vs Michigan State and while they do not play the passing lanes as you might think, they make it difficult when the ball goes in the baseline with hands reaching. Butler has 118 wins in four seasons 33-4 and their head coach Brad Stevens is a hot commodity.
Butler prefers to keep a game in the sixties and that strategy has been effective for them. They are not particularly tall inside, so look for Duke to try to work it inside - out to create shots.
The Bulldogs best player is Gordon Hayward [6-9 soph, 15.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg] who has led his team in scoring 17 times this season17 times this season. He is a versatile player cut out in the mold of inside-out Duke players past.
Matt Howard [6-8 soph, 11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg] has scored in double figure 47 times in his career and he anchors the front court. Howard butted heads late in the Michigan State win but he is expected to go.
Another key player for the Bulldogs is Shelvin Mack [6-3 soph, 14.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg]. Mack is the motor of this team and Duke will need to keep him in their sights all night long.
Ronald Nored [6-0 soph, 6.0 ppg] starts as does Willie Veasley [6-3, senior, 10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg]. Both of these guys are good team players and both can drop it in if left open. Veasley is the veteran leader of a young team whose best players are sophomores.
Make no mistake, all of Indianapolis is behind Butler who as you know now is just six miles down the road from Lucas Oil Arena. Many are making them out to be Cinderella, but their program has been consistent.
As for mutual opponents, Butler lost to Georgetown 72-65 in one of their 4 losses. The Hoyas handed Duke their second worst loss of the season in an 89-77 win. Butler lost to Clemson by 1 point in November while Duke holds two double figure wins over the Tigers.
Butler holds wins over Northwestern, UCLA, Xavier, UTEP, Syracuse, Kansas State and Michigan State and that alone should tell you they can indeed keep the title in Indianpolis.
The Blue Devils are led by their big three of Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler. It will be hard to deny all three of these guys and if all are on their game as was the case in the win over West Virginia they should find victory lane.
But it is Duke's senior leadership which has been at the core of Duke's success as well. The aforementioned Scheyer, hopes to remain hot from the field, while Lance Thomas will do all the dirty work which does not show up in the box score.
The emergence of Brian Zoubek is who many point to as the real reason Duke is in the title game has been a rebounding machine down the stretch and he will cause some match up problems inside for Butler. If Zoubs controls the glass, Duke will benefit greatly.
It's only appropriate that these two teams are facing each other for they have earned the right to be here. And while Brad Stevens coaching job has been fabulous for Butler this season, Coach Mike Krzyzewski, known as Coach K, who in my opinion has had his best season ever at the helm.
Keys to a Duke win 1) Shoot well from the field, 2) Push it inside in an effort to create some foul trouble which will get them to the line, 3) Play within your role - Duke was unselfish and patient on the offensive end against West Virginia and it will be important for this to continue, 4) Rotate the bigs to keep the pressure on and this should wear Butler down. Duke has been doing this all season, 5) Run when the opportunity is there. Quick or easy baskets allows Duke to take Butler out of their comfort zone and if they are forced to play from behind, that works in Duke's favor. In short, get out to a good start.
The fact that Duke has been here before should help, but I expect a game Butler team to give Duke all they want. In the end, I see Duke winning their 4th national title under Krzyzewski. Duke's core is seniors while Butler's best players are sophomores and this is what keeps jumping out for me.
The pick here is Duke 74 Butler 61.
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