USA Basketball Men's U-19 Team

[devildeac]

Bob Green just sent me this:

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/u1...finalists.html

Rasheed has not made the final cut yet but let's hope he's recruiting Okafor and Winslow reeeaaal hard.

Not sure whether to put this in the 2014 Recruiting thread or in a separate one because it involves a current player.

[Newton_14]

Bob Green just sent me this:

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/u1...finalists.html

Rasheed has not made the final cut yet but let's hope he's recruiting Okafor and Winslow reeeaaal hard.

Not sure whether to put this in the 2014 Recruiting thread or in a separate one because it involves a current player.

Thanks for the post DD. Quite appropriate to have a separate thread and use it to track the progress of the team. I think Rasheed makes the cut and yes let's hope he is selling Duke hard to those two kids.

[-bdbd]

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.db...CLID=208361360

Will be really disappointed if RS doesn't make this squad. He's one of 16 finalists for a 12 man squad. Will know in a week...

I am very confident he's in Okafor's and Winslow's ears...

[MCFinARL]

I had posted this earlier in the international basketball thread, but I'm happy to see it in its own thread. I'm sure Rasheed's previous international basketball experience is helping him in these tryouts.

Re Rasheed talking to Okafor and Winslow, you may want to know/see the following.

First, a tweet from Jahlil Okafor:

Jahlil Okafor ‏@jahprobound 15 Jun

My room mates down here are @Chief_Justise and big bra @sheed_ctmd1

Second, a Vine video from Sulaimon: https://vine.co/v/hBbdWq2iaF5
Suffice it to say, Sheed is on the case.

[roywhite]

USA Men's U19 World Championship Team Announced

Two rising high school seniors made the team, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor, both prime targets for Duke's 2014 recruiting class.

Competition begins next week in Prague. Should be a great experience for Rasheed and the other team members.

[BD80]

USA Men's U19 World Championship Team Announced

Two rising high school seniors made the team, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor, both prime targets for Duke's 2014 recruiting class.

Competition begins next week in Prague. Should be a great experience for Rasheed and the other team members.

Should be a great chance for Sheed to demonstrate his ability to recruit, should he be interested in joining the coaching staff 10-15 years down the road.

I think Rasheed would be my first choice of current players to "host" those two guys on a visit. I hope they continue to room together on their travels abroad.

[Billy Dat]

Should be a great chance for Sheed to demonstrate his ability to recruit, should he be interested in joining the coaching staff 10-15 years down the road.

I think Rasheed would be my first choice of current players to "host" those two guys on a visit. I hope they continue to room together on their travels abroad.

When Rasheed played for this same coaching staff last summer, I remember posting this quote from Billy Donovan

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ege-basketball
"Donovan said Sulaimon (10 ppg, 3.4 rpg) needs to avoid feeling too much of the natural pressure that comes with being a highly touted Duke recruit. He said he loved Sulaimon's work ethic and enjoyed coaching him but he just needs to chill a bit."

We were worried about Rasheed being wound too tight, but I don't think he played that way during his freshman campaign. It will be interesting to see, now that he has proven that he can play with the D1 big boys, if he will show a looser side this summer. I assume he'll be counted on to be one of the leaders of the team. Assuming Marcus Smart is the designated stud, I think Rasheed will be able to really shine if defenses make the mistake of ignoring him. I also expect he'll be a huge defensive presence.

[MCFinARL]

This is great news--a little surprising as I think the original schedule was to make the final cuts Wednesday, before moving to DC. But comments from Billy Donovan in the linked article suggest the pressures of trying to make the team were becoming counterproductive--now the final roster can focus on working together instead of competing for spots.

[roywhite]

Should be a great chance for Sheed to demonstrate his ability to recruit, should he be interested in joining the coaching staff 10-15 years down the road.

I think Rasheed would be my first choice of current players to "host" those two guys on a visit. I hope they continue to room together on their travels abroad.

U19 roster with player birthdates

Should be an interesting dynamic with Rasheed and the two potential recruits.

Jahlil and Justise are definitely the young guys on this roster, with Justise a full two years younger than Rasheed, and Jahlil just a few months older than Justise.
"Justise, carry my bag, young fellow; by the way, hope you come to Duke"?

[jimsumner]

When Rasheed played for this same coaching staff last summer, I remember posting this quote from Billy Donovan

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ege-basketball
"Donovan said Sulaimon (10 ppg, 3.4 rpg) needs to avoid feeling too much of the natural pressure that comes with being a highly touted Duke recruit. He said he loved Sulaimon's work ethic and enjoyed coaching him but he just needs to chill a bit."

We were worried about Rasheed being wound too tight, but I don't think he played that way during his freshman campaign. It will be interesting to see, now that he has proven that he can play with the D1 big boys, if he will show a looser side this summer. I assume he'll be counted on to be one of the leaders of the team. Assuming Marcus Smart is the designated stud, I think Rasheed will be able to really shine if defenses make the mistake of ignoring him. I also expect he'll be a huge defensive presence.

Actually, Sulaimon did play too tight, in the opinion of many, myself included. And he was still awfully good.

Like a lot of freshmen, Sulaimon sometimes had trouble letting go of mistakes and moving on to the proverbial next play. This was especially a problem when he missed a few shots early. He could let this negatively impact the rest of his game.

As I said, he was still one of the best freshmen in the country. Given the expected improvement in this and other areas, I think we will be able to take out the word "freshmen" and replace with "players."

[OldPhiKap]

Actually, Sulaimon did play too tight, in the opinion of many, myself included. And he was still awfully good.

Like a lot of freshmen, Sulaimon sometimes had trouble letting go of mistakes and moving on to the proverbial next play. This was especially a problem when he missed a few shots early. He could let this negatively impact the rest of his game.

As I said, he was still one of the best freshmen in the country. Given the expected improvement in this and other areas, I think we will be able to take out the word "freshmen" and replace with "players."

Agree with this totally. Sheed is one of the most talented and athletically gifted guys we have had at the wing since Gerald, maybe, without the juvenile asthma (or whatever the clinical name is). He is a serious lottery contender when he comes out. After a year of experience, including post-season, I think the sky's the limit.

Sheed is the real deal, and I do not say that often. Cannot wait to see Quinn feeding him, Hood, Parker and Dre. {shudder}. And, of course, TT when no one expects it.

[Newton_14]

Don't disagree with Bill Dat often (pun intended ) but have to go with Jim and OPK on this one. Rasheed did play tight at times last year, especially, as Jim noted, if that first one or two jumpers did not go down. Still had a great season though. I expect he loosens up this season and takes on more of a leadership role on the floor.

Great to see him and the two stud recruits make the team. That's a big plus for Duke in the recruiting department. I am anxious to see how Rasheed plays in this tournament. Could be the start of great things heading into the Duke season.