Two weeks ago, Euless Trinity center Myles Turner walked across the stage to pick up his diploma.
Now, the Texas-bound Turner is picking up one of the biggest honors of his burgeoning basketball career.
Turner was one of 12 players selected for the United States' roster for the upcoming FIBA Americas U18 championships, held in Colorado Springs, Colo. June 20-24.
Here's the press release from the University of Texas:
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Incoming University of Texas freshman Myles Turnerhas been named to the 12-person 2014 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team roster, USA Basketball announced Sunday morning. The USA team will continue its training June 15-19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.
USA Basketball will host the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship at the USOTC from June 20-24. The 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship will feature eight national teams from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean, including: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Uruguay. The top four finishing teams will qualify for the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men.
Originally known as the FIBA Americas Junior World Championship Qualifier, the tournament was held every four years between 1990-2006. FIBA changed its calendar following the 2006 championship. The tournament is now conducted every other year, followed in the next summer by the FIBA U19 World Championship. USA men's teams are 43-2 in the U18/Junior World Championship Qualifiers and have won gold in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010 and 2012, while capturing silver in 2008 and bronze in 2002.
Turner does have previous USA Basketball experience, as he was a member of the 2014 USA Junior National Select Team that defeated a World Select Team 84-73 in the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit in April. He also participated in the 2013 USA Developmental National Team mini-camp.
A total of 24 of the country's top 18-and-unders participated in the 2014 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team training camp that was held at the USOTC. Florida head coach Billy Donovan will serve as the head coach for the U.S. squad at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Donovan will be assisted by Ed Cooley (Providence) and Sean Miller (Arizona).
2014 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team Roster
Name Pos. School/College
Isaiah Briscoe G Roselle Catholic HS (N.J.)
Jaylen Brown F Wheeler HS (Ga.)
Jalen Brunson G Adlai E. Stevenson HS (Ill.)
Stanley Johnson F Arizona
Tyus Jones G Duke
Luke Kennard G Franklin HS (Ohio)
Tyler Lydon F New Hampton School (N.Y.)
Dwayne Morgan F UNLV
Allonzo Trier G Montrose Christian HS (Md.)
Myles Turner F Texas
Justise Winslow F Duke
Stephen Zimmerman C Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)
