June 2, 2003
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Kentucky senior Gerald Fitch and junior Chuck Hayes were named finalists for the 2003 U.S. Pan American Games Team, USA Basketball announced on Sunday.
The Wildcat pair made the list of 17 finalists after the National Team Trials concluded last weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo. The finalists were selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Collegiate Committee and the official 12-member U.S. Pan American Team roster will be finalized during the team’s training camp that’s held July 15-29 in Orlando, Fla. The Pan American Games will be played Aug. 2-6 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Fitch, a 6-3 guard, Hayes, a 6-6 forward, and UK sophomore Kelenna Azubuike tried out for the squad. As a member of the Collegiate Committee, Coach Tubby Smith was in attendance at the Olympic Training Center.
“It meant a lot to all three of the Kentucky players that Coach Smith got to come and I just wanted to work hard for him,” Fitch said. “I know he’s had a hard couple of days with speculation of him possibly leaving so it was great that four members of our Kentucky family got to come out to Colorado Springs and work toward one goal which is to represent our country.
“I’ve been working real hard in the weight room and I’ve been conditioning since our season ended and I was able to tell it paid off this weekend.”
Joining Fitch and Hayes on the roster are three players the Wildcats battled last season – Michigan State’s Chris Hill, Marquette’s Steve Novak and Gonzaga’s Blake Stepp. The remaining finalists include Andre Barrett (Seton Hall), Josh Childress (Stanford), Ike Diogu (Arizona State), Ben Gordon (UConn), Julius Hodge (NC State), Luke Jackson (Oregon), Arthur Johnson (Missouri), Brandon Mouton (Texas), Emeka Okafor (UConn), Lawrence Roberts (Baylor), Ricky Paulding (Missouri), and Hakim Warrick (Syracuse).
“I just wanted to show that I play hard on both ends of the court and show that I’m a good teammate and just make the best of the whole opportunity,” Hayes said. “When I heard my name called it was a sigh of relief and I felt a lot of different emotions, especially joy.”
Kentucky and Missouri were the only universities to have two players among the finalists.
“I am just so grateful that I get to play with Gerald and I think we’ll go back next season and only help our team,” Hayes added. “We’re going to be among the leaders for Kentucky next season so hopefully we’ll bring back the gold and inspire our teammates to strive to play hard and win.”
The U.S. has not captured the Pan Am gold medal since 1983. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo will coach the 2003 squad and he’ll be assisted by Washington’s Lorenzo Romar and Missouri’s Quin Snyder.
For more information about the Pan American Games, log onto USAbasketball.com.
