COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – North Carolina Central University men’s basketball head coach LeVelle Moton has been selected to coach with the USA Basketball U-19 Program for a second time, joining the U19 World Cup team in Heraklion, Greece, the program announced on Tuesday, May 14.
Moton coached with the USA Basketball U19 previously in 2015, when he assisted in training camp prior to the FIBA U19 World Championships that year.
Moton has just finished his 10th season at the helm of the NCCU men’s basketball program, and celebrated a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after the Eagles clinched the MEAC Tournament championship for the fourth time in the last six years.
“I’m truly humbled and honored to be chosen to represent my country on the highest stage,” Moton said. “Words cannot put into context what this means. Since I was a kid, I’ve aspired to wear the letters USA across my chest and I’m grateful that Sean Ford and USA Basketball believed in me. It is truly, truly a blessing.”
Moton joins Kansas State coach Bruce Weber and Mike Hopkins of Washington on the staff. Training camp to select the 12-member team will be held June 15-18 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Finalists for the team are expected to be announced on June 18, and the roster will be announced prior to the team’s departure for Greece on June 24. The FIBA U19 World Cup will take place June 29-July 7 in Heraklion, Greece. Athletes eligible for this team must be 19 years old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 2000) and U.S. citizens.
First held in 1979 and known as the FIBA Junior World Championship, the U19 World Cup features the world’s top 19-year-old and younger players. FIBA holds U19 World Cups every two years. The USA earned its qualifying spot for the U19 worlds in 2018 by capturing gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship with a 6-0 record. In the 13 U19 competitions held, USA men’s teams have won six gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal, including gold in three of the past five U19 World Cups (2009, 2013 and 2015), and own a 91-14 all-time record at the event.
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five and 3x3 international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball.