clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Pitt's James Robinson Survives Final Cut, Makes Team USA Under-18 Squad

A few days ago, James Robinson survived the first cut for Team USA's Under-18 team. Word came this weekend, that he made the final cut from 14 to 12 players and Robinson has officially made the team, which will participate in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship tournament.

↵

Robinson acquired some experience participating for Team USA earlier this year when he suited up for the program in the Nike Hoop Summit. The team is mostly comprised of inexperienced players when it comes to Team USA, though. Other than Robinson, Rasheed Sulaimon, who also played in the Nike Hoop Summit, is the only other player who has worn the USA uniform in competition.

↵

Head coach Billy Donovan offered some insight on the type of play he expects:

↵
↵

"I think we have to play up tempo; we have to offensive rebound; and I think the other thing for our team that we have to get better at is taking care of the basketball. I think when you’ve got a lot of players that are thrown together and are now starting to play, they don’t really know each other.

↵

"But I definitely think rebounding and transition are going to be important keys, and I also think defensively how well we can guard the 3-point line," added Donovan.

↵
↵

Play in the tournament begins this week on June 16.

↵

For more on the event and Pitt basketball, check out SB Nation's Pitt blog, Cardiac Hill.

↵

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.