Earlier this week, the 2015 United States Pan American Men’s Basketball Team roster was announced. USA basketball released a 22-player roster that will eventually be cut down to 16, which will then compete in Toronto from July 21-25 at the Ryerson Athletic Centre.
The 22 roster invites include: Ron Baker (Wichita State), Malcolm Brogdon (Virginia), Bobby Brown (Dongguan Leopards, China), Isaiah Cousins (Oklahoma), Micah Downs (Avtodor Saratov, Russia), Kellen Dunham (Butler), Rico Gathers (Baylor), Isaac Haas (Purdue), Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin), Malcolm Hill (Illinois), Ryan Hollins (Sacramento Kings), Keith Langford (UNICS Kazan, Russia), Shawn Long (Louisiana), Monte Morris (Iowa State), Taurean Prince (Baylor), Anthony Randolph (Lokomotiv-Kuban, Russia), Joshua Scott (Colorado), Kaleb Tarczewski (Arizona), Melo Trimble (Maryland), Denzel Valentine (Michigan State), Fred Van Vleet (Wichita State) and Damien Wilkins (Indios de Mayaguez, Puerto Rico). The staff is led by Gonzaga’s head coach, Mark Few, with Tad Boyle from Colorado and Mike Brown.
Wisconsin fans can see Hayes play for the first time since their NCAA Tournament Finals loss to Duke. Hayes averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and two assists for the Badgers last season, and will be featured heavily in Bo Ryan’s final season as the Wisconsin head coach along with Bronson Koenig.
Fans of Wisconsin can get college basketball fans to the Pan American games with Hipmunk.com, which offers Toronto flights through most major airline carriers. Watching Hayes against other top competition could help give early insights into the Badgers’ outlook for next season. Hotels in Toronto can be booked as well, starting from $96.
The United States is joined by Brazil, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to create Group A. Argentina, Canada, Dominican Republic and Mexico make up Group B. In the last Pan American games in 2011, the United States finished with the bronze medal, as Mexico took silver and Puerto Rico won gold.
The Pan American Games started in 1951 for men and has been greeted by mostly successful American teams in the past. Hosted every four years, the United States has accumulated eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals, and an overall record of 87-15.
Previous locations of the tournament were: Guadalajara in 2011, Rio de Janeiro in 2007 and Santo Domingo in 2003. The games were last held in Canada in 1991, when it was in Winnipeg.
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