EOM

Quote:COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns basketball player and Morgan City native Shawn Long was one of 12 players named to the official roster for the 2015 U.S. Pan American Men's Basketball Team that was announced on Sunday by USA Basketball.

The U.S. squad, which will compete at the Pan American Game on July 21-25 in Toronto, Canada, was announced on Sunday following the 16 finalists last practice at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Long, who will be a senior for the Ragin' Cajuns in 2015-16, became the second member of the Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball team in the past two years to be named to Team USA, joining former Cajun Elfrid Payton, who started all nine games for Team USA at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship, helping team to the gold medal.

"It's a great honor for Shawn to represent our country, our university and our team with USA Basketball," Louisiana head coach Bob Marlin said. "Just like Elfrid did two years ago with the U19 championship team, we'll be supporting Shawn to make a difference on this team and to bring home a gold medal. He's worked hard this summer, and by not entering this year's (NBA) draft and making the decision to return to our team, has put a sense of urgency on Shawn. And he's responded.

"He's worked hard in our workouts in June. I was able to be at Colorado Springs for the first three days and he played well. I got great feedback from the coaches who were there. (Georgia State head coach) Ron Hunter, who was one of the training camp court coaches, was very complimentary of Shawn's play. I had a good feeling when I left Colorado Springs that he would make the team. Of course, you never know until it's final."

Long, who was named to the all-Sun Belt Conference first team for the second straight season and was named a Lou Henson all-American, averaged 16.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season for the Ragin' Cajuns while shooting 54 percent from the floor. Long was the only player in the SBC to rank in the top five in both scoring and rebounding, and his 52 career double-doubles are the most by any active player in the country.

Long reached double figures in scoring in all 20 SBC games in 2014-15 and became just the third player in school history to reach 1,000 rebounds and also ranks second all-time in program history in blocked shots.

The 12 USA players range in age from 20 to 35 years old and include one player who played in the NBA in 2014-15, four who played professionally overseas and seven current collegians.

Joining Long on the 2015 U.S. Pan American Men's Basketball Team are: Ron Baker (Wichita State/Scott City, Kan.); Malcolm Brogdon (Virginia/Atlanta, Ga.); Bobby Brown (Dongguan Leopards, China/Los Angeles, Calif.); Ryan Hollins (Sacramento Kings/Pasadena, Calif.); Keith Langford (UNICS Kazan, Russia/Fort Worth, Texas); Taurean Prince (Baylor/San Antonio, Texas); Anthony Randolph (Lokomotiv-Kuban, Russia/ Pasadena, Calif.); Kaleb Tarczewski (Arizona/Claremont, N.H.); Romelo Trimble (Maryland/Upper Marlboro, Md.); Denzel Valentine (Michigan State/Lansing, Mich.); and Damien Wilkins (Indios de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico/Orlando, Fla.).

Outstanding!! Props the Shawn!!


Z

Very happy for Shawn! This young man has the opportunity to make a splash in next year's draft. Also, it looks like he's grown a bit since last season. USA basketball has him listed as 6'11" while we had him as 6'9". But, based on what I found out last night by someone in the know, he measured 6' 10-1/2" in his socks. We will have the tallest roster in recent memory. Height doesn't necessarily translate into wins, but I'd rather be taller than shorter in the game of basketball.