Before head coach Mike Krzyzewski travels to Rio de Janeiro to lead Team USA into the Summer Olympics in August, another member of next year’s Blue Devil team has a chance to represent his country in South America.
Incoming freshman Javin Delaurier was one of 26 young players invited to the USA U18 National Team training camp June 14-18 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. After the first cuts are made, another training camp will be held July 11-15 in Houston before Texas head coach Shaka Smart will make the final cuts and take his 12-member team to the FIBA Americas U18 Championship July 19-23 in Valdivia, Chile.
ESPN pegged Delaurier as the No. 44 recruit in his class, and the 6-foot-8 power forward would provide size and versatility if he makes the U18 team. Delaurier will be competing for a roster spot with six other players in the high school Class of 2016 and 19 players in the Class of 2017.
Duke targets Hamidou Diallo, Trae Young, D.J. Harvey and Mohamed Bamba from the Class of 2017 were also invited to the training camp.
Current and former Blue Devils Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow, Luke Kennard and Chase Jeter helped lead the U18 team to a gold medal in the 2014 tournament in Colorado Springs.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.