Latest news with #USABasketball
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
No. 1 College Basketball Recruit Sends Clear Message on Kentucky
As June approaches, so do key evaluation periods for college basketball coaches hoping to land the next wave of elite talent. One coach who will be busy on the summer recruiting trail is Mark Pope of the Kentucky Wildcats. Pope is preparing for his second season in Lexington after guiding the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky's run ended with a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, one of 14 SEC teams that made the tournament field. Advertisement In a recent report from On3 Sports, Jacob Polacheck highlighted a major recruiting target for Pope and his staff: Bentley Lusakueno, the top-ranked recruit in the class of 2028. Lusakueno offered a telling comment about his impression of the Wildcats during the NCAA Tournament. "To see Kentucky playing like that was really smooth," he said. Lusakueno, a 6-foot-9 forward from Atlanta, just wrapped up his freshman season at Pace Academy. He averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game and started all 32 contests in the 2024-25 campaign. This summer, Lusakueno is expected to stay active. He'll participate in two USA Basketball minicamps along with a full schedule of showcase events and recruiting circuits. Advertisement His high school coach, Sharman White, had high praise for the young star. Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope.© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images "Bentley's a dynamic player and person," White told ESPN. "He gives earnest effort and seeks out improvement. His greatest skill right now is his versatility." Meanwhile, Pope continues to shape his future rosters. According to 247Sports, Kentucky's 2025 recruiting class ranks 26th nationally. The Wildcats have signed three recruits: Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and Andrija Jelavic. Pope has also found success in the transfer portal, securing the fourth-ranked incoming transfer class, an encouraging sign for a program looking to remain among college basketball's elite. Advertisement Related: Five-Star College Basketball Recruit Makes Move on Duke Related: Fans in Disbelief Over 7-Foot-2 College Basketball Recruit
Hamilton Spectator
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
US to open World Cup qualifying this fall against Dominican Republic and Nicaragua; 3rd team TBA
The U.S. will open qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in November against the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and a third nation that will be determined later this summer by the results of a pre-qualifier tournament. The groups — and 68 of the 80 nations that are in the mix for the 31 open World Cup berths — were announced at Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday. Qatar is the only nation to have a World Cup spot assured; it has one because it will host the tournament in the summer of 2027. The other 12 nations — eight from Europe, four from the Americas — that will play in qualifying will be determined this summer. 'The qualifiers are a special part of this journey,' FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said. 'The World Cup is not a three-week event. The World Cup is in reality more than two years, as you can see. ... This is the key moment on the way to Doha.' Germany is the defending champion, having topped Serbia for the gold medal at Manila in 2023. Canada beat the U.S. in that tournament for the bronze. 'When I started playing for the German national team in the late '90s, we would have never thought this was possible — that Germany will be World Cup champions,' said German great Dirk Nowitzki, the longtime Dallas Mavericks star who brought the World Cup trophy onto the stage for the draw on Tuesday night. 'I think that shows the growth of basketball in Germany and the rest of the world, in Europe, all over the place. It's been fun watching basketball grow the last two decades and more. And really, anything is possible in the world now in basketball.' The Americans have won the tournament five times, but not since 2014 — after finishing a record-worst seventh at China in 2019 and missing the medal stand again at Manila in 2023. It has been a challenge for the U.S. to field its best possible team for the World Cups, given that most stars tend to prefer playing in the Olympics and many can't commit to a plan where they would be playing in a World Cup one summer and the Olympics the following year. 'I'm excited,' USA Basketball great and 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee Carmelo Anthony said. 'I think the world is excited. I think players are excited. I just think that intensity level, from what I've experienced in the previous World Cups, has shot up 10 times more than what it was before. I think the energy, I think that intentionality of the game, you see the passion of winning, not just from certain teams, you see it from all teams that are playing.' A breakdown of the qualifying by region: Americas Teams: 16 for 7 World Cup spots. First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027. Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: United States, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, TBD. Group B: Canada, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, TBD. Group C: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, TBD. Group D: Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, TBD. (There are four teams still yet to qualify, and those teams will be determined at a pair of pre-qualifying tournaments in August.) Europe Teams: 32 for 12 World Cup spots. First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027. Format: Eight groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: Spain, Georgia, TBD, TBD. Group B: Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, TBD. Group C: Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, TBD. Group D: Britain, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania. Group E: Germany, Israel, Cyprus, TBD. Group F: Latvia, Poland, TBD, TBD. Group G: France, Belgium, Finland, TBD. Group H: Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia. (There are eight teams still yet to qualify, and those teams will be determined at pre-qualifying tournaments this summer.) Asia Teams: 16 for 7 World Cup spots. (Qatar already qualified as host nation, and will be the eighth World Cup team from Asia.) First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027. Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam. Group B: Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan. Group C: Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq. Group D: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar. Africa Teams: 16 for 5 World Cup spots First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, February 2027. Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, Cape Verde. Group B: Senegal, Congo, Madagascar, Ivory Coast. Group C: Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, Tunisia. Group D: Mali, Angola, Uganda, Egypt. ___ AP sports:
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
US to open World Cup qualifying this fall against Dominican Republic and Nicaragua; 3rd team TBA
The U.S. will open qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in November against the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and a third nation that will be determined later this summer by the results of a pre-qualifier tournament. The groups — and 68 of the 80 nations that are in the mix for the 31 open World Cup berths — were announced at Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday. Qatar is the only nation to have a World Cup spot assured; it has one because it will host the tournament in the summer of 2027. The other 12 nations — eight from Europe, four from the Americas — that will play in qualifying will be determined this summer. 'The qualifiers are a special part of this journey,' FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said. 'The World Cup is not a three-week event. The World Cup is in reality more than two years, as you can see. … This is the key moment on the way to Doha.' Germany is the defending champion, having topped Serbia for the gold medal at Manila in 2023. Canada beat the U.S. in that tournament for the bronze. 'When I started playing for the German national team in the late '90s, we would have never thought this was possible — that Germany will be World Cup champions,' said German great Dirk Nowitzki, the longtime Dallas Mavericks star who brought the World Cup trophy onto the stage for the draw on Tuesday night. 'I think that shows the growth of basketball in Germany and the rest of the world, in Europe, all over the place. It's been fun watching basketball grow the last two decades and more. And really, anything is possible in the world now in basketball.' The Americans have won the tournament five times, but not since 2014 — after finishing a record-worst seventh at China in 2019 and missing the medal stand again at Manila in 2023. It has been a challenge for the U.S. to field its best possible team for the World Cups, given that most stars tend to prefer playing in the Olympics and many can't commit to a plan where they would be playing in a World Cup one summer and the Olympics the following year. 'I'm excited,' USA Basketball great and 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee Carmelo Anthony said. 'I think the world is excited. I think players are excited. I just think that intensity level, from what I've experienced in the previous World Cups, has shot up 10 times more than what it was before. I think the energy, I think that intentionality of the game, you see the passion of winning, not just from certain teams, you see it from all teams that are playing.' A breakdown of the qualifying by region: Americas Teams: 16 for 7 World Cup spots. First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027. Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: United States, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, TBD. Group B: Canada, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, TBD. Group C: Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, TBD. Group D: Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, TBD. (There are four teams still yet to qualify, and those teams will be determined at a pair of pre-qualifying tournaments in August.) Europe Teams: 32 for 12 World Cup spots. First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027. Format: Eight groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: Spain, Georgia, TBD, TBD. Group B: Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, TBD. Group C: Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, TBD. Group D: Britain, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania. Group E: Germany, Israel, Cyprus, TBD. Group F: Latvia, Poland, TBD, TBD. Group G: France, Belgium, Finland, TBD. Group H: Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia. (There are eight teams still yet to qualify, and those teams will be determined at pre-qualifying tournaments this summer.) Asia Teams: 16 for 7 World Cup spots. (Qatar already qualified as host nation, and will be the eighth World Cup team from Asia.) First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, November 2026, February 2027. Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam. Group B: Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan. Group C: Iran, Jordan, Syria, Iraq. Group D: Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar. Africa Teams: 16 for 5 World Cup spots First-round qualifying dates: November 2025, February 2026, July 2026. Second-round qualifying dates: August 2026, February 2027. Format: Four groups of four teams in the first round (six games per team). The top three teams from each group will move on to the second round. Group A: Cameroon, South Sudan, Libya, Cape Verde. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Group B: Senegal, Congo, Madagascar, Ivory Coast. Group C: Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, Tunisia. Group D: Mali, Angola, Uganda, Egypt. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU legend makes major announcement about future plans
Jimmer Fredette isn't just rewriting his own story—he's looking to reshape an entire sport. On a recent appearance on The Today Show, the former BYU sensation shared his excitement about taking on a powerful new role: managing director of USA Men's 3x3 basketball. His mission? Simple, but ambitious. 'We're trying to bring some more notoriety to the 3x3 game here in the U.S.,' Fredette said. 'I'm excited to be a part of it… and be able to hopefully win something in LA.' Fredette's journey from Provo legend to international basketball ambassador is well-documented. In 2011, he was the NCAA's National Player of the Year, averaging 28.9 points per game while electrifying Cougar Nation. Now, at 36, he's pivoting from scorer to strategist, tasked with building the coaching staff and player pool for a sport still carving out its American identity. Advertisement After retiring from professional basketball in April, Fredette's appointment came swiftly—but not surprisingly. USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley praised him as a 'beloved athlete on the halfcourt' and a 'natural fit' for this pioneering role. Fredette's competitive resume includes gold medals from the 2023 Pan American Games and 2022 AmeriCup, and a stint on the U.S. team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The U.S. men's 3x3 team fell short in Paris, missing the podium after Fredette suffered a tournament-ending injury. That loss still stings—but it's fueling his vision for 2028. 'I'm determined to help build a sustainable program for years to come,' he said. His leadership marks the first time USA Basketball has named a dedicated figurehead to oversee the 3x3 men's national program. Related: BYU sparks major buzz with another addition through the transfer portal Fredette's BYU days were legendary—but his next act might just be his most impactful. Cougar fans, take notice: Jimmer isn't done winning. He's just moved to a new court. Advertisement Related: Getting to know Xavion Staton: BYU's 7-foot shot-blocking sensation Related: BYU Basketball players are turning heads for unexpected choice
