May 15, 2003

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s basketball players Kelenna Azubuike and Gerald Fitch have been invited to the 2003 USA Basketball National Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., later this month. The duo is among 28 collegians that will compete for positions on the USA Pan American Team. The 12-man squad will compete in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Aug 2-6.

Fitch will be the Wildcats’ leading returning scorer after averaging 12.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game as a junior this past season. The 6-3 guard started 35 of Kentucky’s 36 games in helping the Cats to a 32-4 Elite Eight finish and a final No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press poll.

Azubuike saw action in 31 games as a freshman, playing eight minutes per game while averaging 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds.

“This will be a great experience for Gerald and Kelenna and quite an honor to be considered for the Pan Am Team,” said UK head coach Tubby Smith. “Hopefully, they can make the cut and have the opportunity to play against international competition this summer. It could be very beneficial for them.”

Initial tryouts will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, May 30-June 1. Approximately 16 players will be invited to the team’s training camp in July where the final cut will be made.

The Pan American Games are played every four years in the year prior to the Olympics. Eight nations will field teams for the games. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo will coach the squad and he’ll be assisted by Washington’s Lorenzo Romar and Missouri’s Quin Snyder.

– Go Cats –