Oklahoma State University Athletics
Anderson Chosen for USA Team
June 18, 2009 | Cowboy Basketball
June 18, 2009
Colorado Springs, Colo. -
James Anderson, a junior on next year's Oklahoma State men's basketball team, has been chosen as one of 12 players to represent the United States at the World University Games, it was announced today.
"As soon as I got here, I was excited about trying out for the team, and there is some big-time talent here," said Anderson. "I got to compete against some other guys from different conferences. It felt good, just knowing that I have an opportunity to do something special and be a part of something special. It's just a great experience."
The player selections were made by the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee, chaired by Jim Boeheim, head coach at Syracuse. Wisconsin's Bo Ryan was selected head coach of the 2009 USA Men's World University Games Team, with Frank Haith of Miami (Fla.) and Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Rob Jeter serving as assistant coaches.
Joining Anderson on the 12-member squad are: Talor Battle of Penn State, Clemson's Trevor Booker, Craig Brackins of Iowa State, West Virginia's Da'Sean Butler, Corey Fisher of Villanova, Marquette's Lazar Hayward, Robbie Hummel of Purdue, Washington's Quincy Pondexter, Deon Thompson of North Carolina, Ohio State's Evan Turner, and Jarvis Varnado of Mississippi State.
"I think I played pretty well, but like I said, there is some big-time talent here," Anderson said. "There were some other good wings. I just went out and competed and did whatever I could to have this opportunity to make this team and play for the USA."
The 2009 World University Games will take place July 2-12 in Belgrade, Serbia. The USA squad will remain in Colorado Springs for two-a-day practices through next Wednesday, June 24, and will depart for Serbia on Thursday, June 25.
The World University Games is organized by the International University Sports Federation and held every other year. The 2009 competition includes 24 men's basketball teams competing for a gold medal. Eligible athletes for the USA team must be currently enrolled in a college or university and have remaining NCAA athletic eligibility.
