Pittsnogle Tabbed
May 15, 2003 03:43 PM | General
May 15, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia sophomore center Kevin Pittsnogle has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s National Team Trials. The Trials will be held May 30-June 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The USA Collegiate Committee will select finalists from the Trials for two USA Basketball teams – 2003 USA Basketball Junior World Championship Team and 2003 USA Pan Am Games team. Pittsnogle is one of the top 52 men’s basketball players from the high school and college ranks to be picked for the tryouts.
Of the 52 players, 28, because they are older than 19-years-old, will be eligible for consideration for the Pan Am Games team. The other 24 players will be eligible for either the Pan American Games or Junior World Championship Teams. To be eligible for the USA Junior World Championship squad, a player must be 19-years-old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1984). Pittsnogle was born July 30, 1984.
Pittsnogle, a Martinsburg native, was WVU’s second-leading scorer this past season at 11.6 points per game and averaged a team-best 4.8 rebounds per game. He was named to the BIG EAST all-rookie team for his efforts.
 |
||
| Kevin Pittsnogle averaged 11.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last year as a freshman. (All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
“I’m thrilled and honored to have a chance to try out for the USA teams,” says Pittsnogle. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there, giving it my best shot and hopefully be able to make the team.”
The official 12-member USA junior team, which will be finalized during the team’s June 24-July 6 training camp in Dallas, Texas, will compete July 10-20 in the 2003 FIBA Men’s Junior World Championship Tournament that is being held in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Oregon coach Ernie Kent will serve as head coach of the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s Junior World Championship Team. The 2003 USA Men’s Pan American Games Team will be directed by Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. The 52 player selections were made by the USA Basketball Men’s Collegiate Committee which is chaired by Terry Holland, former Virginia athletics director.
“Kevin’s selection is a terrific example of what hard work and determination can do for a player’s development,” says WVU head men’s basketball coach John Beilein. “Kevin had a great season last year, and this experience will be great for his future.”
The complete roster can be found at www.usabasketball.com.
