June 10, 2008

Headlined by nine returning USA Basketball veterans, including UCLA signees Drew Gordon and Malcolm Lee, 25 of the nation's top-18-and-younger prep sensations are set to attend the 2008 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team Trials, July 1-3 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The 25 athletes, born on or after Jan. 1, 1990, will compete for one of 12 roster spots on the 2008 Men's U18 National Team. Athlete selections for the USA Basketball Trials were made by the USA Basketball Men's Collegiate Committee, chaired by Syracuse University head coach Jim Boeheim.

"We have the best young players in the country participating in the trials and we've assembled an outstanding coaching staff to coach with them," said Boeheim. "The USA Basketball Men's Collegiate Committee did an outstanding job of identifying a tremendous group of young players who will compete for a roster position on the USA Basketball U18 National Team."

Following trials, the Men's Collegiate Committee is expected to announce the 12-member USA U18 National Team roster, plus alternates. The selected finalists will remain in Washington for the July 4-10 training camp. The USA squad will then depart for the 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Men, July 14-18 in Formosa, Argentina.

Gordon and Lee will return to the hardwood to represent the USA for a third time in July. Gordon (Archbishop Mitty H.S. / San Jose, CA) and Lee (John W. North H.S. / Riverside, CA) helped lead the USA to a 98-78 victory over the World Select Team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. Gordon, the Junior National Team's second-leading scorer, accounted for 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocks while shooting 85.7 percent from the field. However, in spite of his stellar performance, Gordon credited much of the team's success to the USA's backcourt play. Among the cast of tenacious guards was Lee, who helped force 25 World turnovers and 18 USA steals.

Gordon and Lee first showcased their talent in a USA Basketball uniform at the 2007 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, held in Colorado Springs, Colo.