Creighton fans were ecstatic when Doug McDermott announced he would return for his senior season in 2013-14 and help usher the University into their first season into the Big East. This summer McDermott will even be on a bigger stage by representing the United States as a member of Team USA in the World University games that will be held in Kazan, Russia.
In a report by ESPN’s Andy Katz, McDermott is the top name to join Team USA’s roster according to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. McDermott will play for Davidson head coach Bob McKillop, Michigan head coach John Beilein, and South Carolina’s Frank Martin. They will lead the squad in Russia during June and July at the World University Games. McDermott, a preseason Player of the Year candidate, will have the opportunity to improve his game even more with this experience.
Boeheim said the commitment from USA Basketball CEO Jerry Colangelo has shown up at all levels. Boeheim said Smart wanted to work at being a point guard and that’s one of the main reasons he is returning. “Billy will give him an opportunity to do that,’’ said Boeheim. “This is a tremendous win for us.’’ Boeheim said another coup occurred for the World University Games team that will play in Russia
in July when Creighton’s Doug McDermott, the preseason favorite for player of the year, committed to playing for coach Bob McKillop of Davidson (he’ll be assisted by Michigan’s John Beilein and South Carolina’s Frank Martin). “Jerry put us in a great position for the continuity of leadership and to build the program,’’ said Boeheim. “It’s been fun to be one-tenth of 1 percent part of it. We’re going to have a lot of good players.’’
McDermott looks to lead Team USA in the World University Games this summer (Streur/WBR)
McDermott isn’t new to international play. After his freshman season at Creighton, he was part of the Team USA U-19 team that participated in the World Championships in 2011. McDermott averaged 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for that team that finished fifth.
McDermott led Creighton to their second consecutive season to the NCAA Tournament and advancing to the round of 32 both times. He led the Bluejays with 23.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season.
Training camp to select the 12-member team will be held June 24-July 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The final team selection will be determined prior to the team departing for Russia. McDermott should be a lock to be on that roster.
The 2013 World University Games men’s basketball competition is scheduled to be played July 7-16 in Kazan, Russia. Organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the World University Games is a multi-sport competition open to men and women who are between the ages of 17 and 24 (born between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1995), and are or have been within the past year, a student at a college or university.
The United States has claimed 19 medals in the World University Games since beginning play in 1965, and has captured a record 13 golds, three silvers and three bronze medals in the 20 World University Games in which a USA Basketball squad has competed.
With Creighton joining the Big East next season and McDermott getting this extra exposure, it should be another exciting hoops season for Bluejay fans.