Kentucky rising sophomore Rajon Rondo will be among 21 players competing for a spot on the USA Basketball Men?s Under-21 National Team during the organizations tryouts July 21-23 in Dallas, Texas. The trials will be used to select the final 12-member team that will travel to Mar De Plata, Argentina, Aug. 5-14, to vie for the 2005 FIBA U21 World Championship.

Rondo, who started all 34 games for Kentucky as a freshman, is one of two Southeastern Conference players attending the tryouts. He is joined by LSU?s Glen Davis, the 2005 SEC Freshman of the Year. Rondo led the SEC in steals as a newcomer and set the school record with 87 steals last season. He averaged 8.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 3.5 apg.

Saint Joseph?s coach Phil Martelli has been named the head coach for the U21 team and will be assisted by Drexel?s Bruiser Flint and Georgia?s Dennis Felton. Tryouts begin on Thursday, July 21 at the Dallas Maverick?s practice facility and continue through Saturday, July 23. After the team is announced, they will have compete in the 2005 Global Games at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Dallas from July 27-31 before departing on August 1 for Argentina.