DeBose to play for U.S. in World University Games
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Rising FGCU men’s basketball senior Julian DeBose was selected to represent the United States at the World University Games July 3-14 in Gwangju, South Korea.
In April, the Kansas men’s basketball team was chosen to represent the USA as the National Team at the World University Games. DeBose and SMU’s Nic Moore, the reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, are the only two players not on the Jayhawks who will be heading to South Korea as part of Team USA.
An injury to a Kansas player prompted a call from KU coach Bill Self to former Kansas assistant and current FGCU coach Joe Dooley on Friday looking for a replacement. DeBose, who is FGCU’s top returning scorer next fall after averaging 11.6 per game as a redshirt junior, was selected and will become the first FGCU student-athlete to represent the USA in an international competition.
“I want to thank coach Dooley and coach Self for this opportunity,” said DeBose, who flew to Lawrence Saturday morning to begin working out with the team in advance of a pair of exhibition games against Canada next week. “I’m extremely thankful, excited and honored to represent my country.”
Twenty-four teams will compete in the 2015 Games. There are four pools of six teams each, and USA is in Pool D. The International University Sports Federation (FISU) which governs these games established the criteria for selecting each pool based on previous results, previous participation in the games, continental representation and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rankings. Following five pool games, the teams are seeded for bracket play with the top two from each pool battling for a medal.
Joining the USA in Pool D is Serbia, Brazil, Turkey, Chile and Switzerland. Historically, the USA has won 13 World University Games gold medals, three silvers and three bronze since the inception of the games in 1965. The USA’s last gold medal came in 2005. The USA is 1-0 in the World University Games against Serbia. The USA is 8-0 against Brazil, 1-0 versus Turkey and has yet to face Chile or Switzerland in these game.
The World University Games are held every two years and governed by FISU.
“It’s a terrific opportunity for Julian to not only represent the USA but also to play against some of the best competition at this level in the world,” said Dooley. “For him to be selected is a testament to all the hard work he’s put in, and we’re looking forward to watching him in action.”