Billy D Adds Team USA To His List Of Duties

The University of Florida and USA Basketball announced today that men’s basketball head coach Billy Donovan will lead Team USA at the 2012 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championships.

Team USA is the reigning champion from the 2010 tournament, beating Brazil 81-78 in the championship game on a last second three pointer by Baylor swingman Quincy Miller.  In 2008. the Americans took silver after falling to Argentina in the finals, despite a tournament MVP performance from Kemba Walker.

This will be Donovan’s second opportunity to work with USA Basketball.  He worked with the U-19 team at a training camp last June while the team was preparing to compete in the Men’s U-19 World Championships.

Donovan will be assisted by Gonzaga head coach Mark Few and VCU head man Shaka Smart, who is a former Gators assistant.  The coaching staff was selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team committee.

The 12-member team will be announced before the team departs for the U-18 FIBA Championships.  The tournament will be held from June 16-20 in Sao Sebastiáo do Paraiso, Brazil.