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Releford named to U.S. team

Chalmers dazzles in second summer game with 19 points, 9 assists

J-W Staff Reports

Posted Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Tuesday was a good day for Kansas University basketball players, former and future.

On the same day that incoming 6-foot-5 freshman guard Travis Releford learned he had made the cut and is one of 12 players selected for the USA Basketball men’s U-18 national team, Mario Chalmers had a big game for the Miami Heat in the NBA Orlando Summer Pro League.

A graduate of Bishop Miege High in Roeland Park, Releford will seek to help USA to defend the gold medal at the FIBA Americas U-18 Championship next week in Argentina.

The U.S. opens against Venezuela on Monday, then faces the Bahamas on Tuesday and Puerto Rico on Wednesday in pool play. Argentina, Canada, Mexico and Uruguay are in the other pool.

Meanwhile, Chalmers shared game scoring honors with 19 points, nine assists and three steals in the Heat’s 90-81 victory against the New Jersey Nets. Chalmers made five of 10 attempts from the field and misfired on all three three-point attempts. New teammate and former foe Michael Beasley of Kansas State had an off day, making just one of 13 shots from the field.

The decisions of Chalmers and first-round draft choice Brandon Rush to leave early for the NBA created an opportunity for Releford to compete for immediate playing time for KU.

First, he’ll try to add some patriotic hardware to his trophy case.

Releford’s teammates, a mixture of high school seniors and college freshmen, will be: Dominic Cheek (St. Anthony High, Jersey City, N.J., senior); JaMychal Green (Alabama); Matt Humphrey (Oregon); Ryan Kelly (Ravenscroft High, Raleigh, N.C.); Malcolm Lee (UCLA); Leslie McDonald (Briarcrest High, Memphis, Tenn.); Mason Plumlee (Christ High School, Arden, N.C.); Kemba Walker (UConn); Maalik Wayns (Roman Catholic High, Philadelphia); David Wear (Mater Dei High, Santa Ana, Calif.); and Travis Wear (Mater Dei High, Santa Ana, Calif).

Davidson’s Bob McKillop will coach the U-18 squad.