By Joe Henricksen
There is no doubt the young prep talent in the state of Illinois is impressive. And the USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team shows just how talented.
Following three days of practices featuring 27 of the top 16-and-under players in the country, Team USA selected four players from the state of Illinois, including a pair of teammates from one high school —Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn of Simeon.
The USA U16 National 12-player team, which was selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team Committee, also includes Whitney Young’s 6-9 Jahlil Okafor and Springfield Lanphier guard Larry Austin.
The U.S. U16 squad will remain at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to train through June 17 prior to departing for Cancun, Mexico to compete in the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
