Vols’ Stokes still in mix for roster spot

Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 7:00 pm

The USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team announced 16 finalists for this summer’s U19 team Sunday, and Tennessee rising junior Jarnell Stokes made the cut.
A total of 26 players have been vying for 12 precious roster spots since Friday at the Men’s U19 World Championship Team training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The final four roster cuts will be announced in the next few days, and the 12-member Junior National Team will compete in the FIBA U19 World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, June 27-July 7.
Stokes is one of 16 players at camp who boast previous USA Basketball experience. He was a starter on last summer’s U18 FIBA Americas Championships squad that won the gold medal in Brazil.
“We had 26 really, really good players and all of the guys made the selection very, very difficult,” USA U19 head coach Billy Donovan said. “I think the thing that stands out about this team is just the athleticism; the speed and quickness; the ability to defend and put pressure on people.”
Published in The Messenger 6.17.13