PC’s Cotton invited to World University tryouts
Monday, June 03, 2013
Bryce Cotton reached one careeer pinnacle by being named 1st team all-Big East this past season. And now, the Providence senior-to-be has a chance to accomplish another, by representing his country on the basketball court.
Cotton (Tucson, AZ) was one of 30 players invited to the 2013 USA Men’s Basketball World University Games Team training camp, announced Monday by USA Basketball. The camp will be held June 24-30 at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. He earned all-Big East 1st team honors in March, after PC finished the year 9-9 in league play, 19-15 overall. Cotton finished the league season as the scoring leader, averaging 18.3 points per game, and was the fifth Friar all-time to lead the league in scoring.
It also marked the 11th time a PC player received all-Big East 1st team honors. Cotton scored 20 or more points in 19 of the 32 games he played this season, including a season-high 33 points against Boston College December 22nd. He also led the team and the Big East in scoring in overall play, averaging 19.7 ppg. Cotton led the conference in three-point field goals made per game (3.1), and also set the Providence record for most three-point field goals in a season with 98.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“We are proud that Bryce has been selected to attend such a prestigious camp,” Providence Head Coach Ed Cooley said. “He has worked very hard to improve so many aspects of his game. Being selected to attend this camp is a testament to his work ethic and ability.”
The 2013 World University Games men’s basketball competition is scheduled to be played July 7-16 in Kazan, Russia. Finalists for the team are expected to be announced on June 27 or 28, and the 12-member roster will be announced prior to the team’s departure for Russia on July 1. Two-time All-American Doug McDermott of new Big East member Creighton has accepted an invitation to attend the tryout, as have Quinn Cook of Duke and Stanford's Chasson Randle, who both already have won two gold medals for the US. The pair played in the inaugural FIBA Americas U16 Championship in 2009 and then the U17 World Championship in 2010.
Other college stars trying to make the squad include Michigan State's Adreian Payne, North Carolina's P.J. Hairston and Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick.
Davidson College’s Bob McKillop will lead Team USA, with assistant coaches John Beilein of Michigan and Frank Martin of South Carolina assisting. Additionally, Tad Boyle of Colorado, Jim Kessler of Grace College (NAIA) and Matt Matheny from Elon University were tabbed as court coaches for training camp.