June 18, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern University rising sophomore John Shurna (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) was among the 12 individuals named Thursday to the United States' roster for the upcoming FIBA U19 World Championships to be held July 2-12 in Auckland, New Zealand.
"It's just a tremendous honor and opportunity to represent your country," Shurna said. "Going against the best competition in the world; as far as basketball goes I don't think you can ask for much more.
"Everyone here is extremely talented. We all just gave it our best effort. I just played as hard as I could and left it all out there."
Also named to the squad were Washington State's DeAngelo Casto and Klay Thompson, Duke's Seth Curry, Pittburgh's Ashton Gibbs, Butler's Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack, Kentucky's Darius Miller, UTEP's Arnett Moultrie, Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor, Georgia's Howard Thompkins and Ole Miss' Terrico White.
The team will be coached by Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon and is being assisted by Matt Painter of Purdue and Chris Lowery of Southern Illinois.
During his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, Shurna started all 31 contests while helping the team at a 17-14 record and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament. He ranked fourth on the squad with averages of 7.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest and was second with a .466 field goal percentage.
The United States opens tournament play against Iran on July 2 before facing France the following day and Egypt on July 4 in the preliminary round. The second round begins July 6 with the medal round starting July 11 and the championship game set for July 12.