Julian Strawther and Phillip Wheeler could be part of the National Team for the Under-19 World Cup

The Basketball Federation of Puerto Rico did not rule out the inclusion of youth basketball players Julian Strawther and Phillip Wheeler, pledged for the national adult program, to be part of the National Youth Team to play in the U-19 World Cup to be played in Latvia ‘to 3 to 11 July.

“All players who meet the age requirement should be included,” President Yum Ramos said of the call for both baskets.

Ramos will hold a meeting this Thursday with the federal committee to delineate work plans toward global commitment.

Strawther, of Puerto Rican mother, is active with the undefeated Bulldogs of the University of Gonzaga in the NCAA, equipment number one of the nation. He turns 19 next April. He participated in the 2017 U-19 World Cup in Greece at the age of 17, having an impressive 40-point performance in the loss to Russia in the consolation round. The Boricuas, led by Omar Gonzalez, finished sixth in the tournament.

This set had in uniform the shipowner André Curbelo, a member of the University of Illinois, who no longer has the requirements of the category because it meets 20 this year.

Wheeler, meanwhile, is an interesting case. After deciding to make the leap to professionalism without playing college basketball, the 18-year-old striker had a notable debut in National Basketball Superior (BSN) last year with Atletico San Germán. He averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 11 games in the reduced 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He currently plays for Gimnástica Indalo in the professional league of Argentina, averaging 7.0 points per confrontation.

Wheeler was part of the National Team in the 2018 U-17 World Cup on Argentine soil, winning the bronze medal.

Puerto Rico will participate for the third time in a row in the U-19 World Cup, after participation in 2018 and 2019. It was classified for the upcoming event after FIBA ​​suspended the FIBA ​​Americas U-18 Championship in both branches due to the coronavirus pandemic. The international federation used the global roster to nominate countries in the Americas, including Puerto Ricans, as well as the United States, Canada and Argentina. Puerto Rico ranks 12th in the Under-19 category.

In addition to Strawther and Wheeler, the Puerto Rican team can count on the litter of the youth program intrigued by Ramsés Meléndez, Rafael Pinzón, Omar Figueroa, Johned Walker, Diego Romero, among others.