[TheVelezes]

Well, we have more basketball this summer! The teams have been paired up for the Under-21 World Championships in Argentina, and it seems like the U.S.A. is in the toughest group, Group B.

They better bring their A-team for this tournament. Lithuania, Slovenia and Puerto Rico are in that group. I can attest that Puerto Rico is already lining up a good team, starting with a 20 pound-heavier Peter John Ramos.

Here's the link:

http://www.fibaamericas.com/noticiasread4_us.asp?r=WGYYHARNNU&t=PHCLYUFIPT

 

[black0ut]

whats the age cut-off (reffering to Jose, who turns 21 in June)

 

[TheVelezes]

BlackOut:

The cut-off age is 21, but players that turn 21 but have participated in the early qualifying tourneys are grandfathered by FIBA to participate in the Worlds.

It means that as of now, JJ Barea is still in the Under-21 team for Puerto Rico.

The nucleus of the Puerto Rico Junior National team remains pretty much the same. And it's a more seasoned team too, since most of them play at the NCAA level. The backcourt combo of Barea and Jesús Verdejo (playing with the Arizona Wildcats) is very respectable, and they have been playing together for a while.

We have to see if Wake Forest's Chris Paul comes back as the point for the USA. Considering that he will definitely be a First Round draft pick if he chooses to go pro, a good possibility is that his NBA team won't allow him to play to avert any injuries. The same goes for Illinois' Dee Brown.

 

[black0ut]

thanks...

Plus if Brown and Paul go pro, they'll probably play in the NBA summer league, no? It would be sweet to see Paul play for USA again... but oh well, who'd replace him at th epoint?

 

[Greg Ostertag!]

This will be the same group from Australia's u/19 World Champion team from 2 years ago, probably sans Bogut. We'll still win, though.

 

[TheVelezes]

Yes, the Aussies have always killed us in this type of competition.

Do you know if either Phil Collins (New South Wales, NSW Institute of Sports) or Blagoj Janev (Sydney, Australian Institute of Sport) will be playing for Australia? Both play in our conference with the University of New Hampshire.

 

[Greg Ostertag!]

Sorry, mate... haven't seen the team as yet. Will let you know if I do.