Mar 31

Let the Nike Hoop Summit talk continue.

Up now: The World

The World Select team is similar to Team USA, except their athlete pool is the whole world... The best players 19-years-old or younger are chosen to join the team from all corners of the globe.

This years team features talent from Canada, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, France, Brazil, China and Congo.

As many successful young hoops stars do, these international players share dreams that many before them have realized. They want to be professional basketball players in the NBA. With and invitation to represent the World Select Team in the Nike Hoop Summit those dreams may not be too far off.

Two current Portland Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum and Patty Mills, both played for the World Select Team on their journeys to NBA success.

Check out the talented players selected to represent the World.

Kyle Wiltjer                  F     6'10''  Canada  Jesuit HS (Portland, OR)
Dario Saric                    F     6'9''   Croatia   KK Dubrava Zagreb
Davis Bertans                F     6'7''   Latvia    Union Olimpija Jr. Team
Mateusz Ponitka           G     6'5''   Poland   AZS Politechnika
Kevin Pangos                G     6'1''  Canada   Dr.Dennison HS (Ont)
Evan Fornier                  G    6'6''   France   Union Poitiers
Raul Togni Neto            G    6'2''   Brazil    Pitagoras Minas Tenis Club
Lucas Riva Nogueira     C    7'0''   Brazil    Estudiantes
Przemyslaw Karnowski C    7'0''   Poland   Sport School Cetniewo
Guo Ailun                      G/F 6'4''  China     Laioning
Bismack Biyombo         F/C 6'9''   Congo   Baloncesto Fuenlabrada

Similar to Team USA there’s a local connection on this roster. Did you notice it?

The Nike Hoop Summit is played under international rules, something these boys are already used to. International basketball has a different feel to it than NBA play. It tends to be much faster and team focused with less isolation play and more picks and screens.

I love watching international ball and I’m even more excited to see future NBA prospects compete in front of my very eyes. Are you going to see these talented internationals in person on April 9th?

Up next: Past participants who are NBA stars

Up previously: Team USA

Get your Nike Hoop Summit tickets now!