Donovan, Team USA set to open FIBA Americas U18 Championship today
Saturday, June 16, 2012 | Men's Basketball, Football, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Over the previous 11 days, his team practiced 16 times. Along the way, it took a five-hour flight from Colorado to South America, followed by a seven-hour bus ride.
“I don't even know where the hell we are right now,” Billy Donovan said.
The answer is Sao Sebastiao do Paraiso, through some of the jungles of Central Brazil (mere hours from the borders of Colombia and Paraguay). It's here where UF basketball coach will try to lead a team from USA Basketball to a gold medal in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
Team USA opens pool play Saturday at 1 p.m. against the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Check out this "At A Glance" box for a primer on the tournament.
In a phone chat Thursday with GatorZone, Donovan said he has absolutely loved his time working with USA Basketball and being knee-deep in the game this offseason -- player evaluation, film sessions, 5-6 hours in the gym every day -- alongside an assistants staff of good friend and Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart and Gonzaga coach Mark Few.
“I love it,” Donovan said.
Now comes the basketball part, where the USA could play five games in five days, assuming it advances in pool play. The Americans would have to finish in the top two of a four-team pool that includes the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico and Brazil. They're favored to do so.
Should USA get out of the pool, it would face the top two teams of the other pool, featuring teams from Argentina, Canada (the favorites on the side), Colombia and Puerto Rico.
For Donovan, the challenge of developing strategy, chemistry and identity in such a time crush is something he has embraced.
“You're taking a group of really talented kids and trying to find out the best way to play and utilize your personnel; and you're playing for something -- a gold medal,” Donovan said. “It's basically like an NCAA Tournament. You're going through games, one after another, scouting, preparing and hopefully you work your way to the Final Four and play for the gold.”
The American team, Donovan admits, does not have a lot of great shooters. Instead, it was built around athleticism and length. He was fascinated by the evaluation process, which took place in Colorado Springs, Colo., and was headed by USA Basketball chairman Jim Boeheim, the Syracuse coach and another close confidant who advised Donovan and his staff on what to expect in international play and the best way to arm a roster.
With the exception of Tennessee power forward Jarnell Stokes, no one on the USA team has played in college. Of the remaining 11 on the players, nine are incoming collegiate freshman, with Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart, Syracuse forward Jeremi Grant, Duke guard Rasheed Sulaimon and Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker expected to emerge as the American stars in this tournament.
There will be growing pains.
“This is pretty elaborate stuff for these guys, with video coordinators and film sessions and scout breakdowns -- it's like a college situation,” Donovan said. “There's a level of immaturity with these guys, though I don't really mean it in a bad way.”
Just a basketball coach's way.
Now, cue the chant.
USA! USA!
