A select group of young United States basketball stars will participate in the 28th edition of the famed Albert Schweitzer Tournament, running Saturday through April 2 in Mannheim and Viernheim, Germany.
The U.S. squad is one of 12 in the international field of under-18 teams, joining Argentina, Australia, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Serbia and Turkey. The bracket is a streamlined version of the event’s usual 16-country field, a move organizers suggested would offer a higher level of competition throughout the week-long tournament.
Mike Olson, head coach at New Hampshire prep school Kimball Union Academy, returns as head coach after guiding the American team to a surprise silver medal in the 2014 bracket. The Americans, led by current Wisconsin freshman and 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Ethan Happ, went undefeated in pool play and beat Serbia in the semifinals before losing to Italy in the gold medal game.
“We learned on the fly last time. Playing against experienced national teams that have been together for years represents a significant challenge. It takes a major commitment to come together quickly. We have a distinct disadvantage in that we meet each other for the first time while boarding the plane,” Olson said in a press release. “We will focus on coming together quickly and playing toward our strengths. Our goals are set high.”
The USA roster features four players already committed to NCAA Division I programs, including 6-foot-11 center Dylan Painter (Villanova), wings Kobe King (Wisconsin) and Quinton Rose (Temple) and point guard Alani Moore (Temple).
The United States will play all of its preliminary round-robin games in the evenings at Viernheim’s Waldsporthalle, opening Saturday at 8:30 p.m. CET against France. Subsequent pool play games are set against China (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.), Italy (Monday, 7:30 p.m.), Greece (Wednesday, 8 p.m.) and Egypt (Thursday, 8 p.m.).
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinal round on April 1, with the winners competing for the gold medal on April 2 at 4:15 p.m. CET at GBG Halle in Mannheim.
The United States has won the tournament a record 10 times, though the country hasn’t won the event in two decades. Team USA counts Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Vince Carter among its alumni, while NBA stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol and Toni Kukoc played for other countries in the tournament.
Tickets for the Albert Schweitzer Tournament start at 15 euros per session and can be purchased here. More information about the tournament can be found here.
Team USA Roster G/F Jimmy Boeheim (Fayetteville, N.Y.) F Garrison Brooks (Lafayette, Ala.) F Spencer Cline (Mason, Ohio) F Will Engelhardt (Syracuse, N.Y.) G Savion Flagg (Alvin, Texas) G Kobe King (LaCrosse, Wis.) G Anthony Mack (Troy, N.Y.) G Alani Moore (Washington, D.C.) C Dylan Painter (Hershey, Pa.) G/F Quinton Rose (Rochester, N.Y.) G Matt Turner (Trumbull, Conn.) F Hameir Wright (Albany, N.Y.) Head Coach Mike Olson Assistant Coach Chris Leazier Assistant Coach Joe Mantegna Assistant Coach Erik Olson
