USA – Hewitt appointed coach for FIBA U19 World Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS (2011 FIBA U19 World Championship) – With just over six months before the FIBA U19 World Championship, defending champions USA have taken the first step in their preparations by naming Paul Hewitt as the team’s head coach.

Hewitt, the men’s head coach at Georgia Tech since 2000, will lead the American side in Liepaja and Riga, Latvia from 30th June to 10th July.

The 47-year-old has past experience with USA Basketball having served as an assistant on the men’s gold medal winning teams at the 2006 and 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championships.

“It’s a great honor,” Hewitt said. “I completely enjoyed the last two opportunities I had to work with USA Basketball, and the experience of working with these young players is very rewarding.

“I hope we can get the best players from this age group to participate.”

The selection of Hewitt was made by the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee and approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.

“The committee felt that Paul Hewitt has had tremendous experience with USA Basketball in the past," said Jim Boeheim, chair of the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee. “He will be a great leader for this year's U19 team.”

Hewitt helped the USA qualify for the event in Latvia by serving as an assistant coach on the team that went 5-0 and won the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in San Antonio, Texas.

His biggest accomplishment at the collegiate level to date has been leading Georgia Tech to the NCAA Championship Game against Connecticut in 2005. The most notable player he coached is Team USA star Chris Bosh.

Originally known as the FIBA Junior World Championship, the tournament was held every four years from 1979 until 2007 when it became the FIBA U19 World Championship. The event has since been held every two years.

In 2009, the USA went 9-0 and took gold in New Zealand.

FIBA