Maryland basketball guard Kevin Huerter was one of 12 players who made the U.S. U-18 men’s basketball team, which was announced Wednesday.
Huerter, a consensus four-star recruit and the No. 49 player in the 2016 ESPN 100, will compete with the squad in the FIBA Americas U-18 Championship in Chile from July 19-23.
The Clifton Park, New York, native played at Shenendehowa Central High School, leading the program to its first state title since 1987 as a junior. At 6-foot-6, Huerter will likely compete for playing time with returning guards Dion Wiley and Jared Nickens and fellow incoming freshmen Micah Thomas and Justin Jackson.
“He has great point guard vision and instincts and also has the ability to stretch the floor with his outstanding shooting range,” coach Mark Turgeon said in a release Nov. 11. “Kevin is young for his class and his development for someone so young is just outstanding.”
By making the squad, Huerter will have a chance to continue developing under Turgeon, who is an assistant for the national team.
The U.S. team will open play in Group B against Puerto Rico on July 19 before going up against Chile and the U.S. Virgin Islands the following two days. The top two squads from each group make the semifinals. The winners will play in the gold medal game July 23.
Should the U.S. fare well in this tournament, Huerter will possibly have an opportunity to earn more international experience. The top four finishers qualify for the 2017 FIBA U-19 World Championship.
“I’m really excited about the make-up of our team,” said U.S coach Shaka Smart, who also coaches at Texas. “First of all, we have 12 high character guys, they are guys who really seem to get along well with each other, and that’s important on any team.
