There is no offseason at VCU. Let’s get into some Monday morning nuggets…
SHAKA WINS GOLD
Coach Smart got a new gold accessory to add to his wardrobe this offseason. Smart joined former boss Billy Donavan and UVA head coach Tony Bennet to make up the USA Basketball U19 team’s coaching staff this year. Yesterday, they defeated Serbia 82-68 to win gold in Prague. It’s the second straight USA Basketball championship for Smart and company, as the group won last year’s U18 championship. Smart’s team certainly had a VCU feel to it. The stars and stripes forced 22 turnovers per game during the run.
GRAHAM SHINES IN WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
Treveon Graham makes two VCU connections representing USA Basketball this offseason. Graham earned Player of the Game honors in USA’s 96-60 exhibition win against Russian pro squad, UNICS, scoring 11 points to go with a team-high 8 rebound. He followed that performance up with a 140-46 Group C domination of the United Arab Emirates in which the rising VCU junior posted 13 points and 9 rebounds, throwing in a rare Treveon dunk in the win. Team USA moved to 2-0 this morning with a 96-53 win over the Czech Republic. Graham contributed 6 points and 7 rebounds in just 19 minutes of USA’s balanced attack.
VCU ADDS 6’9 WALK-ON
Our resident scooper, District Baller, is reporting VCU will add 6’9 forward, Emerson Burk to next year’s squad. The Great Bridge native spent last season at Fork Union Military Academy and will join Torey Burston as the second walk-on on next year’s team. VCU already added 6’8 Florida State transfer, Terrance Shannon, and brings in 6’8 freshman, Antravious Simmons as well as 6’6 big Mo Alie-Cox to a team that lost two bigs from last year’s squad.
