Showalter puzzles together size, versatility in search of U16 title defense
COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017) - United States head coach Don Showalter has puzzled together a mix of size and versatility in a 12-man roster that he hopes can lead the four-time reigning champions to a fifth straight FIBA U16 Americas Championship crown.
Showalter, who has never lost at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship or the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, made his final four cuts to set the team that will head to Formosa, Argentina and face Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Mexico in Group B of the championship from 14-18 June.
| United States 12-man roster for FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017 | |||
| Scottie Barnes | Vern Carey Jr. | Jalen Green | R.J. Hampton |
| De'Vion Harmon | Zion Harmon | Wendell Moore | Jeremy Roach |
| Jalen Suggs | Isaiah Todd | Romeo Weems | James Wiseman |
"We've got a really good group that's incredibly talented and versatile," Showalter said. "When we got down to 16, we put in our system and now with 12 (players) remaining we're going to sharpen things up over the next few days. We're going to put a few more things in offensively and defensively and really focus in on our goal."
The top two teams from both groups will advance to the Semi-Finals and thereby book their ticket to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018. Should Argentina - the hosts of next summer's U17 tournament - finish in the top four, the fifth-place team will also advance to the global showcase.
Showalter invited 32 players to camp starting on 1 June and then trimmed the list to 16 players on 4 June.
About the final cuts, Showalter said: "Some of the guys got caught in the numbers, as far as making the team. We're all really pleased with everybody's work ethic and attitude. Nobody got cut because of those things, it was just what we felt was going to be pieces to fit into our puzzle in order to make the best team."
As is common with USA teams, this U16 side has good height with three players listed at 6ft 10in (2.08m) on the team in Vern Carey Jr, Isaiah Todd and James Wiseman. Three others are stand 6ft 5in (1.95m) or taller.
In preparation for the training camp, Showalter added eight players to the initial pool for the training camp on 24 May. Three of those players - Scottie Barnes, Zion Harmon and Romeo Weems - made the final list of 12.
Zion Harmon also sets himself apart from the others in that he is one of only two bottom level players born in 2002, along with Jalen Green. The United States have traditionally brought younger players - with three bottom level players in 2011, four in 2013 and one in 2015.
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