CAN/USA – Joseph decides to join fellow Canadian Thompson at Texas

AUSTIN (NCAA) - A pair of exciting Canadian youngsters that are certain to be prominent players in the national team for many years, Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, will play college basketball together at Texas.

Thompson, a 6ft 8in small forward, had already decided to play for Rick Barnes and the Longhorns and now Joseph, an explosive 6ft 3in guard, will join him.

The pair were teammates on the Canada side that finished seventh at last year's FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in New Zealand.

They have also played together at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada.

"It's good that we'll be able to play together again," Joseph said.

"We had a lot of success over the past two years. We won the national championship twice.

"We're going to have a great time."

Joseph averaged 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game at the FIBA U19 World Championship while Thompson contributed 8.6 points and 5.9 boards.

"Cory is simply a winner who will definitely have an impact on our backcourt," Barnes said.

"Not only is Cory a very good basketball player, he is an excellent person with a truly wonderful family. He comes from a successful Grass Roots Canada AAU program coached by Ro Russell.

“Cory also has played for an excellent high school program at Findlay Prep, coached by Michael Peck.

“Both of those are winning programs that have excelled at the highest levels."

FIBA