Latest news with #FIBAU19WorldCup
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mark Pope and two Kentucky recruits were invited to USA Basketball's U19 training camp
Mark Pope and two Kentucky recruits were invited to USA Basketball's U19 training camp The KEntucky Wildcats have long represented Team USA Basketball. From Anthony Davis to Devin Booker, a long line of Kentucky products have represented the United States at the international level. That's set to continue this year, as two Kentucky recruits, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, have been invited to the 2025 USA Basketball Men's U19 National Team training camp, as has head coach Mark Pope. "Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope and incoming freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno will take part in the 2025 USA Basketball U19 National Team training camp at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center beginning on June 14. Pope will serve in an on-court coaching role, while the freshmen are vying for spots on the 12-player roster on Team USA's squad that will compete at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland," said the University of Kentucky in a press release. "This will serve as Pope's first official role with Team USA, while Moreno will be making his second training camp appearance. Johnson earned a gold medal at the 2024 FIBA U19 AmeriCup." Johnson and Moreno, both four-star recruits signed to Kentucky as part of their 2025 class, have previously played for Team USA, including at this year's Nike Hoop Summit. They'll both vie for a spot on the 12-man roster headed to the U19 World Cup in Switzerland against 31 other athletes. Pope will serve in an on-court coaching role at training camp. Arizona's Tommy Lloyd will serve as at the team's head coach, with Texas Tech's Grant McCasland and Notre Dame's Micah Shrewsberry serving as his assistants. Pope, alongside Alabama head coach Nate Oats and North Carolina's Hubert Davis, will feature as on-court coaches throughout training camp.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky Turns Heads With Mark Pope News After First Season
Excitement is building in Lexington as the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program continues to grow under its new era of leadership. With John Calipari departing for Arkansas last spring, the Wildcats turned to Mark Pope, who will be entering his second season as head coach next fall. Pope has been relentless this offseason, assembling a roster capable of competing at the highest level. Advertisement And now, he's taking that energy nationwide. On Tuesday, Kentucky basketball made an exciting announcement involving Pope and two of his incoming players. Pope, along with soon-to-be UK freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, will head to Colorado Springs on June 14 to participate in the USA Basketball U19 National Team training camp at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. According to a statement from USA Basketball, "Pope will serve in an on-court coaching role, while the freshmen are vying for spots on the 12-player roster on Team USA's squad that will compete at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.' Advertisement The news thrilled fans in Lexington. "Being associated with USA basketball never hurts when it comes to recruiting," this Kentucky fan mentioned. "Pope working with team USA!!!" was posted here. Wildcats backers are pleased with the work Pope is putting in: "Coach Pope is working!!" "Kentucky x Team USA." called out here. "Hugeee" shared a Cats fan. Staying with the theme, this Kentucky fan was excited for his coach: "Big time for Pope!!" Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Prather-Imagn Images Pope is no stranger to Kentucky basketball. He played for the Wildcats from 1994 to 1996 and was part of the 1996 team that won the national championship. Before his time in Lexington, he starred at the University of Washington, where he was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 1992. Advertisement He was selected in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers and concluded his professional playing career with the Denver Nuggets in 2005. Pope began his collegiate coaching career in 2009 and earned his first head coaching opportunity with Utah Valley in 2015. After four seasons there and another four at BYU, he took the reins at Kentucky for the 2024–25 season. In his first year leading the Wildcats, Pope guided Kentucky to a 24-12 record, including a 10-8 mark in SEC play. The Wildcats reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Tennessee. With a solid debut season and now a key role with USA Basketball, Pope's impact at Kentucky is already building excitement, and it looks like he's just getting started. Advertisement Related: Five-Star College Basketball Recruit Makes Move on Duke Related: No. 1 College Basketball Recruit Sends Clear Message on Kentucky
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup A pair of Wisconsin basketball commits are set to represent New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer. Class of 2026 shooting guard Jackson Ball and class of 2025 signee Hayden Jones will suit up for New Zealand's 12-man roster from June 28 to July 6 for an opportunity to clinch a gold medal for their country. Jones, who committed to Wisconsin's program on July 25, 2024, suited up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. There, he averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to debut for the senior national team. Jones and company fell to the United States, which rostered players such as Cameron Boozer and A.J. Dybantsa. The 6-foot-7 guard has also suited up for the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand National Basketball League for the past two seasons, plus previously registered 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for New Zealand during its runner-up finish at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. Ball, who announced his pledge to Greg Gard's program on March 3, also laced up for New Zealand in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. At 6 feet, 4 inches, the 2026 prospect has showcased his offensive prowess for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in the NBL this spring, averaging over 22 points off 54.7% shooting from the field in 13 games through May 19. Jones and Ball join notable college signees on New Zealand's 2025 squad, such as Oscar Goodman (Michigan), Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown) and Tama Isaac (UC Irvine), an indication of how significant international basketball recruiting has become in the sport's landscape. The experience for both Ball and Jones is certainly encouraging for Badger fans. The development and professional exposure should prepare the duo even more for what they will encounter in the United States, regardless of where New Zealand places in the circuit. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
7-foot-9 Florida center Olivier Rioux goes viral after unique approach cutting down net
Even in a game of modern giants, University of Florida freshman Olivier Rioux stands tall. The Canadian center, now listed at 7-foot-9, caught college basketball fans' attention watching the Gators win the SEC Championship following the game when he stepped up to cut down a piece of the net. Where his peers and coaches used a ladder, Rioux stood on the floor, reaching up with a pair of scissors. Advertisement Known as the tallest teenager in the world, Rioux was cheered by the Florida-affiliated people who surrounded him as he got a piece of the twine. Watch here, courtesy of the SEC Network: Florida men's basketball beat Tennessee 86-77 to win the SEC championship on Sunday, finishing the season 30-4 and shifting its focus to March Madness. Rioux is redshirting this season, and when he plays next year, he will be the tallest in Div. I history, according to ESPN. He's long been the tallest player on the court. Take a look back at his growth and prep years: Olivier Rioux in school By the age of 8, Rioux was 6-foot-1 and playing basketball. He reached 6-foot-11 in sixth grade and hit the 7-foot mark in the summer before seventh grade. Much of his basketball education came under Pascal Jobin, who coached at Cégep Édouard Montpetit and McGill University, Rioux told USA TODAY High School Sports in December 2023. Advertisement Much of Rioux's high school experience came on the international stage, as he played in the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, 2023 U18 FIBE AmeriCup and 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, according to his Florida bio. He played at IMG Academy, where he split time between the IMG Varsity Blue roster and the program's national team. Here are international stats listed on his Florida bio: 2021 FIBA U16 Americas Championship: 8.3 points and 10.3 rebounds over six games 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup: 2.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup: 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in five appearances 2023 U18 FIBA AmeriCup: 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, helping Canada win a bronze medal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Florida's 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux doesn't need a ladder to cut down net
Associated Press
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Jana El Alfy's parents traveled from Egypt to watch the freshman center and UConn win a title
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jana El Alfy's parents flew from Cairo to Poland to New York to Tampa to watch their daughter play with UConn for the first time. They got to see her celebrate a championship with the Huskies. El Alfy, a 19-year-old starting center, was limited by foul trouble and had two points and two rebounds in UConn's 82-59 victory over South Carolina on Sunday. The powerful, 6-foot-5 Egyptian played a key role in a semifinal victory over UCLA and should be a major force for Geno Auriemma's program next season and beyond. 'I'm so happy to watch my daughter live in the final,' her father, Ehab El Alfy, told The Associated Press at halftime. 'I'm so proud of her. It's an amazing moment for me.' Ehab El Alfy and his wife, Dina Gouda, traveled 25 hours to see their daughter play in person. They waited for UConn to make the Elite Eight, hoping to see two games. Jana had six points, eight rebounds and four blocks against UCLA to help the Huskies advance. UConn fans treated Ehab El Alfy and his wife like celebrities on the concourse of Amalie Arena. They were stopped by several Huskies supporters to pose for selfies. 'This is a wonderful team, wonderful teammates and staff,' Gouda said. 'I love all of them. All of them are like sisters, like family. Everywhere I walk, I feel the love and I see how much they love Jana. I'm very proud.' El Alfy's love for basketball came from her dad. Ehab El Alfy is the head coach of the Egyptian women's national team. Jana led the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup with 21.4 points per game and was fourth in the tournament with 11.0 rebounds per game. She led the 2022 U18 African Championship tournament with 24.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, powering Egypt to silver. Jana also competed at the 2021 FIBA U16 African Championship and the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup. 'From 5 years old, she started playing basketball and she followed me every game,' Ehab Al Alfy said. 'She always played (up). I expected her to play at a high level. I'm so happy she's playing at UConn.' Jana averaged 5.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in the regular season, coming back from an Achilles tendon injury that forced her to redshirt as a freshman. 'It's awesome,' Ehab El Alfy said about his daughter winning a national title.
