Nick Johnson’s post-Arizona career continues to flourish.
The former Pac-12 Player of the Year and consensus All-American guard has the opportunity to represent the United States in the FIBA World Cup qualifying games this summer.
Johnson, 25, is one of 14 players invited to USA Basketball training camp starting June 20 in Houston. A 12-man team for the USA’s third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifying games, which will include the U.S. facing Mexico on June 28 in Mexico City and Cuba on July 1 in Havana.
USA Basketball Training Camp Roster has been announced: Reggie Hearn
David Stockton
Amile Jefferson
Xavier Munford
Taylor Braun
Aaron Harrison
Rashawn Thomas
Taylor Braun
Jonathan Holmes
Trey McKinney-Jones
Marcus Thornton
Alex Caruso
Myke Henry
Nick Johnson
Kevin Jones#GLeague— Adam Johnson (@AdamJ_NBAGL) June 11, 2018
Johnson recently led G League’s Austin Spurs to a championship and he was named the Finals MVP. During the season, in 34 games, he averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
The USA will hold training camp June 20-26 in Houston. The team is expected to be announced prior to the team’s departure for Mexico on June 26. The player selections are made by the USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team Committee.
Former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy, who led the USA to a 5-0 record and the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup and has led the USA to a 4-0 record in the first two windows of the World Cup Qualifiers, returns as head coach.
NBA G League Erie Bayhawks head coach Josh Longstaff and former Georgetown University coach John Thompson III will serve as USA assistant coaches.
“We’re very fortunate to have back a good number of players who have played in previous World Cup Qualifying games. That shows the experience of representing USA Basketball and their country was meaningful to them, and obviously it was beneficial to their careers,” Van Gundy said in a USA Basketball statement. “I’m also very excited about new players who will be participating in this training camp.
“Athleticism, versatility and having mentally and physically tough players are important attributes that all of these players possess. Each FIBA World Cup Qualifying window poses different challenges, and being on the road for our final two first-round games and playing in front of their passionate fans, while playing two very well coached national teams, will be big challenges for this team.”
Standing 4-0 and atop of the Group C first-round standings, the USA is already assured of being one of the three teams from its group to advance to the FIBA World Cup Qualifying second round.
All 14 players attending training camp have NBA G League playing experience.
Johnson recently was in Tucson for two weeks working out the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium:
Recommended for you
