After being one of the last three cuts for the USA U18 National Team on Sunday, 7-foot center Chase Jeter of Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas was added back on to the team Wednesday evening.
Jeter replaces UNLV commit Dwayne Morgan of Baltimore St. Francis Academy who left the team because his grandmother is ill.
“Dwayne had to come home on emergency due to the nature of his ailing grandmom,” his mentor Dwayne Wise told SNY.tv.
“USA Basketball has been very supportive of him and has communicated with his mom since he got back to Baltimore Monday night. He was still on the team and it was decided today that he stay home to ensure they can get a replacement in enough time. Dwayne is naturally disappointed, wanting badly to play and to rep his country but with mom in grievance, he was needed back.”
“We’re really, really sorry that Dwayne is unable to play, he’s great kid and we’re sorry to hear about the illness in his family and we are supportive of his decision to return home,” said Billy Donovan, USA U18 National Team and University of Florida head coach. “So we’re bringing back Chase Jeter. It was really close with Chase, he played well enough during our training camp to make the team. I’m excited he’s willing to come back on such short notice. He’s a great kid and he really made a big impression on all of us.”
Jeter recently told SNY.tv that four of the six schools on his final list are recruiting him the hardest. He is expected to make a college decision in either late July or early August.
The USA team will conclude its training June 19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. USA Basketball is hosting the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship at the USOTC from June 20-24.
Photo/Release: USA BAsketball