“The coaching staff is so pleased with the way the team is developing a sense of chemistry, a sense of team and we’re also pleased with their willingness to work hard and get better each day,” said USA and Davidson College head coach Bob McKillop. “They realize that this is an investment of a lot of their time, a lot of their energy, but they realize the dividend that they can create for themselves by becoming better basketball players."

McKillop added, “I like the fact that we’re getting better. I like the fact that we’re committed to having fun and playing to win. When you add those three objectives together, having fun, playing to win and getting better, good things are going to happen to you. Especially when you have good kids and we have terrific kids.”

The final squad includes:

• Dominic Cheek (St. Anthony H.S. / Jersey City, N.J.)
• JaMychal Green (St. Jude H.S. / Montgomery, Ala.)
• Matt Humphrey (Hales Franciscian H.S / Chicago, Ill.)
• Ryan Kelly (Ravenscroft H.S. / Raleigh, N.C.)
• Malcolm Lee (John W. North H.S. / Riverside, Calif.)
• Leslie McDonald (Briarcrest H.S./ Memphis, Tenn.)
• Mason Plumlee (Christ H.S. / Arden, N.C.)
• Travis Releford (Bishop Miege H.S. / Shawnee Mission, Kan.)
• Kemba Walker (Rice H.S. / New York, N.Y.)
• Maalik Wayns (Roman Catholic H.S. / Philadelphia, Pa.)
• David Wear (Mater Dei H.S. / Santa Ana, Calif.)
• Travis Wear (Mater Dei H.S. / Santa Ana, Calif)

Tomorrow's full day of training will again be at the Verizon Center. Thursday morning only work out will move to the McDonough Arena on Georgetown's campus.

USA, the defending 2006 FIBA Americas champions, will open the tournament against Venezuela at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14th in the first game of Group B preliminary play. The US has a 29-1 overall record in FIBA Americas competition; the lone loss, Venezuela in 2002 by 67-65.

The USA squad then faces the Bahamas at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday and closes out preliminary round play against Puerto Rico at 6:00 p.m. on July 16.

Group A features host Argentina, Canada, Mexico and Uruguay.

The top two teams in each group during the prelims advance to the Saturday's medal round semifinals. The gold medal game is Sunday, July 18, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. The top four teams for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship in be held July 2009 in New Zealand.

Coach McKillop quotes were provided by USA Basketball in their press release.