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Texas Tech Basketball's McCasland will coach the USA in the FIBA ​​U18 AmeriCup

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The already busy offseason for Texas Tech basketball coach Grant McCasland continues on – or even two.

Earlier this year, it was announced that McCasland would serve as an assistant coach for this year's U.S. team at the FIBA ​​U18 AmeriCup, taking place June 3-9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The national team's training camp, which will help whittle the 29 participating players down to a 12-man roster for the tournament, begins this week in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

McCasland and Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry will serve as team assistants to Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd at the event. On-field coaches who assisted during the opening phase of training camp include Coastal Carolina's Justin Gray, Drake's Ben McCollum, Saint Louis' Josh Schertz and Duke's Jon Scheyer.

This is not McCasland's first appearance with Team USA. During the 2021 World Cup he was court coach for the U19 team. McCasland said Tuesday that he made many friends and contacts in his four days in the program at the time and hopes to do the same with a higher level of responsibility.

“Having the opportunity to be a part of something for just under a month,” McCasland said, “will be great no matter what happens in the future because I think those relationships are nurtured and you're able to play great basketball -Heads together.” great basketball players.”

The 29 players vying for spots on the official team are from the 2024 through 2026 recruiting classes. Three players – Patrick Ngongba, Tre Johnson and Morez Johnson Jr. – all members of the 2024 class, have committed to their dream colleges in Duke, Texas or Illinois signed.

CATCH-UP: Texas Tech basketball transfer portal tracker: Who's in, who's out for the Red Raiders?

A total of 23 players who are completing a training camp still have to decide on a school. McCasland's staff has placed more emphasis on recruiting the 2025 and 2026 high school classes, focusing heavily on the transfer portal during his first two offseasons at the helm in Lubbock.

But that's at best secondary to McCasland's overall goal for the experience. The focus is on building relationships and representing the United States, which has won the last six U18 AmeriCups and 10 of 12 since its founding in 1990.

“What a remarkable opportunity, truly,” McCasland said. “A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and at this stage it will be there for the next two summers – hopefully with the U18s this summer and the U19s next summer. What I'm going to tell you is the way I do it.” Really look at this: It's an opportunity to serve and love the people who are part of USA Basketball. How can we build this and continue to grow?

“We hope to become the best basketball in the country…”

LATEST ADDITION: Texas Tech basketball commits 4-star guard Christian Anderson

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