15th Annual Douai U19 World Amateur Basketball Championships 2001

USA faces tournament favorite Argentina

5/31/01-Douai, France- Argentina has been in France for a week playing exhibition games and sight-seeing.  They have an impressive 4-0 record going into the exhibiition game tonight against the USA.  The game will be played in Ausish at 6:30 pm..  The USA will arrive at 2:30 pm in Douai, and will practice from 3:00pm to 4:00 pm at Gayant Arena.

Argentina defeated Brazil for the South America Junior Championship, and is favored win the tournament over Croatia, the defending World Champion.  Argentina is led by Alejandro Aloatti.        

The USA has never finished higher than fifth and are seeking respect.   Some of the previous elite players that attended the event from the USA were Dajuan Wagner & Anthony Rice, Memphis; Rashaad Carruth & Marvin Stone, Kentucky; Steve Hunter, DePaul; Wesley Wilson, Georgetown; Tito Maddox, Fresno State; Josh Powell, N.C. State;   Karl Hollingsworth, Tulane; Josh Pace, Syracuse; Kyle Wilson, UMASS; Vladimir Radmanovic, Ohio State; and Derrick Potter, Oregon State.

"We have an impressive alumni list, but we have never had all the pieces to the puzzle at one time, to get the job done." said Linzy Davis USA Head Coach.   "We have lacked the size and maturity to win a championship."

This year is considered different.  Linzy Davis, brought on Ed Meyers, Game Plan Sports, to help recruit the right kind of players.  "We selected guys who were hungry and dependable." said Meyers.  High school coaches, AAU coaches, and college coaches, all came together to help field a team capable of winning the World Championship.

The USA has size, skill, and talent necessary to compete for a championship.   "This is the best team ever assembled." said Davis.  "We will give the fans the kind of game they have been waiting for."

The USA is led by McDonald's All American, Jawad Williams, Cleveland, Ohio, who will attend UNC in the fall.  Jawad past on attending his graduation ceremony to join the USA team.  The USA roster including player jersey numbers are below:

4 Billy Edlin, 6'3 Senior, Baltimore, MD., committed to Syracuse

6 Camelo Anthony, 6'8, junior, Baltimore, MD., committed to Syracuse

8 Jawad Williams, 6'8, senior, Cleveland, Oh., committed to University of North Carolina

10 Shelden Williams,6'8, junior, Midwest City, OK.

15 Craig Forth, Albany, NY.,7'0, senior, committed to Syracuse

5 Mike Crain, 6'3, junior, Lovejoy, GA.,

7 DeAngelo Alexander, 6'4, junior, Midwest City, OK

9 Marques Hayden, 6'7, junior, Midwest City, OK

12 David Paris, 6'8, junior, Modesto, CA.

11 Corey Gibbs, 6'8, sophomore, Atlanta, GA.

14 Shawn Taylor, 6'11, sophomore, Vienna, GA.

  Argentina vs USA June 1, 2001 recap.

We have game photo's, stats,  and players signing autographs.