Technically, Ashton Gibbs has to tryout and make the squad to be part of Team USA for the World University Games. It was conceivable that the player that ended up being a key part of the U-19 gold-winning team of 2009, and one of the best players in the Big East might not make the team. The competition could be the factor.
I trained really hard for (the NBA Draft), but I think it was a good decision (to stay),” Gibbs said. “I get to play with Nasir (Robinson) and Travon (Woodall), two guys I came in with. I want to get my degree. And, I think we’re going to be a good team this year.”
And, he may play overseas after all. At the end of July, Gibbs will attend the camp for Team USA’s entry in the World University Games. His play last season (first-team all-Big East, 49 percent from 3-point range and 16.8 points per game) combined with his prior international experience (he and coach Jamie Dixon helped lead the Americans to gold in the under-19 World Championships in New Zealand) make Gibbs a favorite for the team.
In his mind, he’s a perfect fit.
“There are a lot of other good players there, but I don’t pay attention to the list,” Gibbs said. “I do the best I can and try to make a difference on the defensive end.”
Since Gibbs didn’t offer, some of the other 21 players are Xavier’s Tu Holloway, Notre Dame’s Tim Abromaitis, Missouri’s Kim English and Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor. The camp commences on July 29, with first cuts on July 31 and team announcement on Aug. 8, when the Americans leave for China.
Yeah. Well Tu Holloway has already backed off from being part of the team.
The need for minor ankle surgery will force All-American point guard Jordan Taylor of Wisconsin to withdraw from tryouts for the United States squad that will compete in the World University Games next month in China.
That leaves the tryout roster for Team USA without a true point guard. Instead, Mike DeCourcy expects Gibbs to be part of the group that will serve as point guard along with *gulp* Syracuse’s Scoop Jardine.
Showing he can run the point for Team USA is a big deal for Gibbs. He is going to be expected to do some of that with Pitt this year, and he needs to do it to increase his chances of getting to the NBA.
It does seem that there are fewer and fewer teams with a really quality point guard in the college game. Players believed to be point guards lately seem to be more like combo guards.
