One of John Calipari's 2008 freshmen, Wesley Witherspoon, will vie for a spot on the Team USA U18 Team.

June 30, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wesley Witherspoon, an incoming freshman for the University of Memphis men's basketball team, begins his quest Tuesday to become a member of the USA Basketball's U18 National Team. The trials start Tuesday, July 1 and run through July 3 at the Verizon Center, home of the NBA's Washington Wizards.

A Lilburn, Ga., native, Witherspoon inked with the Tiger program in the late signing period. Last season, the 6-foot-8 forward/guard averaged 18.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in helping lead Berkmar High School to a 23-6 record and an appearance in the Georgia Class AAAAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Sweet 16 appearance was the school's deepest state tournament run since 2001.

Following the season, Witherspoon was named to the 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia All-State Class AAAAA first team. He was also selected to play in the 2008 Jordan Brand All-American Game at Madison Square Garden in New York City in April. In that contest, Witherspoon scored 13 points and added four rebounds and a team-best three steals for the winning Blue squad (124-114 victory).

Witherspoon was a consensus top-60 recruit, as he was rated No. 27 by RiseMag.com, No. 34 by Rivals.com, No. 48 by ESPN.com and No. 56 by Scouthoops.com. He was also rated as one of the top 15 small forwards in the country by Rivals.com (No. 5), ESPN.com (No. 9) and Scouthoops.com (No. 12).

The trials' 20 invitees will compete for 12 roster spots. Following the trials, the 12-member U18 roster, plus alternates, will be announced. The finalists will remain in Washington for training camp July 4-10, before departing for the 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championships for Men July 14-18 in Formosa, Argentina.

Davidson College head coach Bob McKillop will serve as Team USA U18 squad's head coach. VCU head coach Anthony Grant and Georgetown head coach John Thompson III will serve as the team's assistant coaches.