Oregon’s Lilley Invited to USA Basketball U-19 Trials

The team is being assembled to represent the United States at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship to be held in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

Taylor Lilley was Oregon's top shooter in 2006-07. Photo: goducks.com

EUGENE - University of Oregon head women’s basketball coach Bev Smith announced Wednesday that guard Taylor Lilley has been invited to try out for the 2007 U19 National Team.

"Taylor's selection to try out for this team is a most deserving one,” Smith said. “She will be among the elite players of her age group, and she truly belongs in such company.

“Not only is Taylor an outstanding basketball player at both ends of the floor, but she is also one of the purest shooters in the country, a skill that has become somewhat of a lost art in the game of basketball today.”

Lilley, a 5-6 shooting guard from Newhall, Calif., recently completed a freshman season with the Ducks that saw her lead the Pac-10 and set the school record for three-point accuracy at nearly 51 percent.

She earned Pac-10 All-Freshman honorable mention, averaging 8.3 points per game despite being limited due to a right leg injury during conference play.

“Taylor has worked very hard on her skills as a basketball player and I am so happy and excited for her that this work has paid off with this recognition of being one of the top players in the country for her age category,” Smith said. “Our program is very proud of Taylor's achievements on the floor this year as a Duck, and we are excited to see her given a chance to represent her country on the national and international stage.”

USA Basketball will conduct the trials from May 17th-20th at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., with approximately 30 U.S. hopefuls participating.

The USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee also will select the finalists for the U19 National Team.

This team is being assembled to represent the United States at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship to be held in Bratislava, Slovak Republic from July 26th to August 5th, 2007.

The 16-team field is broken into four groups for the preliminary round with Team USA drawing China, Lithuania and Ivory Coast in Group B.

Following trials in May, the Americans will break until July when they reassemble to begin training.

The final 12-member roster will be selected prior to the start of the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship.

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