Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Wiggins’s College Choice Could Impact Canadian U19 Team
Andrew Wiggins is expected to suit up this summer with the Canadian U19 team in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men, but his future college coach could have something to say about that.
“All indications have been up until now that he is going to play but still his college choice may affect that so I can’t really say either way yet,” Canadian Junior National Team coach Roy Rana told SNY.tv Thursday.
“Once he makes the decision where he’s going to go to school, then obviously that will become part of the equation.”
The World Championship is set for June 27 – July 7 in Prague.
Wiggins headlined the Canadian U18 team that lost to Argentina in the semifinals in Brazil in 2012. That roster included Syracuse-bound point guard Tyler Ennis, Florida State signee Xavier Rathan-Mayes and uncommitted 2014 forward Trey Lyles, who is considering several schools and plans to announce next spring.
“We expect that the team that was in South America last year is going to return,” Rana said, “and all indications are that we’ll have the same roster. The core group should be back.”
Obviously, Rana — who coached the World Select Team to a 112-98 victory over the U.S. at the Nike Hoop Summit last month — would love to have Wiggins back this year.
“It makes a huge difference,” Rana said when asked how much difference it would make if Wiggins were on the team.
The 6-foot-7 Wiggins is considering Florida State, Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina, and sources told SNY.tv that he is currently torn on where to go.
“No idea, I have not spoken to him about that,” Rana said. “That’s his business. I leave him alone, I’m here to support him. That’s it.”
Wiggins could announce by Wednesday, the last date of the NCAA late signing period. When he does announce, his mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, is expected to make the trip from Canada to Huntington (W.V.) Prep.
“Yeah, she’ll be out there,” Nick Wiggins, Andrew’s brother, confirmed to SNY.tv.
Once he picks a school and all the fanfare dies down, Wiggins would then have to decide whether to play with his Canadian teammates but summer school and other obligations could interfere with that.
“Really once he makes that choice, he’s going to have to make the decision of what he wants to do for his summer, but from all indications up until this point he’s shown interest in playing this summer for our team,” Rana said
Rana said he hopes to have the roster finalized by June 10 or 11. Canada has a tough pool featuring Spain, Croatia and Korea.
“We’re in a very, very tough pool,” Rana said. “It’s a loaded tournament, maybe one of the deeper junior worlds in recent memory with a lot of talent so it’s gonna be a great experience for our guys.”
**For more stories on Andrew Wiggins, click here.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Andrew Wiggins is expected to suit up this summer with the Canadian U19 team in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men, but his future college coach could have something to say about that.
“All indications have been up until now that he is going to play but still his college choice may affect that so I can’t really say either way yet,” Canadian Junior National Team coach Roy Rana told SNY.tv Thursday.
“Once he makes the decision where he’s going to go to school, then obviously that will become part of the equation.”
The World Championship is set for June 27 – July 7 in Prague.
Wiggins headlined the Canadian U18 team that lost to Argentina in the semifinals in Brazil in 2012. That roster included Syracuse-bound point guard Tyler Ennis, Florida State signee Xavier Rathan-Mayes and uncommitted 2014 forward Trey Lyles, who is considering several schools and plans to announce next spring.
“We expect that the team that was in South America last year is going to return,” Rana said, “and all indications are that we’ll have the same roster. The core group should be back.”
Obviously, Rana — who coached the World Select Team to a 112-98 victory over the U.S. at the Nike Hoop Summit last month — would love to have Wiggins back this year.
“It makes a huge difference,” Rana said when asked how much difference it would make if Wiggins were on the team.
The 6-foot-7 Wiggins is considering Florida State, Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina, and sources told SNY.tv that he is currently torn on where to go.
“No idea, I have not spoken to him about that,” Rana said. “That’s his business. I leave him alone, I’m here to support him. That’s it.”
Wiggins could announce by Wednesday, the last date of the NCAA late signing period. When he does announce, his mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, is expected to make the trip from Canada to Huntington (W.V.) Prep.
“Yeah, she’ll be out there,” Nick Wiggins, Andrew’s brother, confirmed to SNY.tv.
Once he picks a school and all the fanfare dies down, Wiggins would then have to decide whether to play with his Canadian teammates but summer school and other obligations could interfere with that.
“Really once he makes that choice, he’s going to have to make the decision of what he wants to do for his summer, but from all indications up until this point he’s shown interest in playing this summer for our team,” Rana said
Rana said he hopes to have the roster finalized by June 10 or 11. Canada has a tough pool featuring Spain, Croatia and Korea.
“We’re in a very, very tough pool,” Rana said. “It’s a loaded tournament, maybe one of the deeper junior worlds in recent memory with a lot of talent so it’s gonna be a great experience for our guys.”
**For more stories on Andrew Wiggins, click here.
