Rondo Named to 2005 U21 National Team
Kentucky sophomore makes final cut for USA team.
LEXINGTON, Ky. –Kentucky rising sophomore Rajon Rondo was named to the final roster for the USA Basketball Men’s Under-21 National Team after tryouts July 21-23 in Dallas, Texas. The squad was cut from 21 to the final 12-member team that will travel to Mar De Plata, Argentina, Aug. 5-14, to vie for the 2005 FIBA U21 World Championship.
Rondo, who started all 34 games for Kentucky as a freshman, is one of two Southeastern Conference players on the final Team USA roster. He is joined by LSU’s Glen Davis, the 2005 SEC Freshman of the Year. Rondo led the SEC in steals as a newcomer and set the school record with 87 steals last season. He averaged 8.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 3.5 apg.
Saint Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli is the head coach for the U21 team and is assisted by Drexel’s Bruiser Flint and Georgia’s Dennis Felton. The team continues competition in the 2005 Global Games at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Dallas until July 31 before departing on August 1 for Argentina.
Kentucky senior Patrick Sparks begins the tryout process for the World University Games squad in Colorado Springs, Colo., today. Final cuts to that squad will be made over the weekend and the team will enjoy several days of practices before departing for Turkey in early August.