Ryan Kelly, a rising senior at Ravenscroft, has been named to the USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team. Kelly, a 6-10 power forward, is one of just 12 players selected to the team.
Kelly’s selection came after six days of trials and training camp at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The head coach for the U18 team is Bob McKillop (Davidson) and the assistant coaches are John Thompson III (Georgetown) and Anthony Grant (Virginia Commonwealth).
The U18 team will now travel to Formosa, Argentina, for the FIBA Americas Men's U18 Championship to be held July 14-18. The tournament features eight national teams from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. The top four teams qualify for the 2009 FIBA U19 Men's World Championship that will be held July 2-12, 2009 in New Zealand.
Kelly averaged 23.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game en route to being named an NCISAA 3-A All-State selection and the TISAC Conference Player of the Year in 2007-08. Scout.com ranks Kelly as the #13 player in the Class of 2009 and the #4 power forward in his class.
"It has been an incredible honor to be here in Washington, D.C., to tryout for the USA U18 National Team,” said Kelly. “I have been surrounded by such talented players, coaches and USA support staff who are all driven to get better, have fun and play to win. I look forward to representing my family, Ravenscroft School, the City of Raleigh, North Carolina and most importantly the USA while we are in Argentina next week. Thanks to all who have continued to support my development."
For more information, visit www.usabasketball.com.
