Mitchell Robinson, Brandon McCoy invited to USA U19 World Cup training camp

This summer’s U19 FIBA World Cup may have some mid-major flavor.

Incoming freshmen Mitchell Robinson and Brandon McCoy were among the 28 players to accept an invite to the U19 team’s training camp. The John Calipari-coached team will ultimately cut the list down to 12 players.

Robinson is the centerpiece of Rick Stansbury’s excellent incoming recruiting class at Western Kentucky. The 6’11’’ big man was a McDonald’s All-American, and is a five-star recruit according to both Scout and ESPN. He’s also a primary reason why the Hilltoppers, who are coming off a 15-17 season, checked in at No. 9 in our most recent (but still way too early) 2017-18 power rankings.

Likewise, McCoy is the focal point of Marvin Menzies’ great 2017 recruiting class. The center was also a McDonald’s All-American, and holds a five-star rating from Rivals, Scout and ESPN. His signing was a coup for Menzies, as he chose the rebuilding Rebels over Arizona and Oregon.

In addition to one another, the centers will likely be competing for spots against Bol Bol (2018 five-star prospect), Jeremiah Tilmon (incoming Mizzou freshman), Austin Wiley (Auburn sophomore) and Marques Bolden (Duke sophomore).

The camp will be held from June 18-25 in Colorado Springs, with the team announced midway through. Illinois State’s Dan Muller and Monmouth’s King Rice will be on hand as “court coaches,” but are not part of Calipari’s staff.

The World Cup will be held in Cario, Egypt beginning July 1.

Team USA is the reigning champion, winning the 2015 edition of the event. A pair of mid-major players — Gonzaga’s Silas Melson and San Diego State’s Malik Pope — were invited to the camp, but did not make the final team.