USA Basketball U16 Camp: 5 questions with Jett Howard
Wednesday was Day 1 of the USA Basketball 2019 Under-16 Training Camp at University School in Davie, Fla.
Thirty of the top prospects in the country from the Class of 2021 and 2022 -- including five with Florida ties -- are competing to make the 12-person U.S. roster that will compete at the FIBA Americas U16 Championships June 3-9 in Brazil.
To be eligible, players had to be 16 years old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 2003). The finalists are scheduled to be selected Saturday after three days of practices in South Florida. The finalists will then continue to practice here until May 30 before heading to Brazil.
I talked with one of those prospects with the Sunshine State connections -- 6-foot-4 2022 guard Jett Howard, of Class 5A state champion and GEICO Nationals qualifier University School. Here is our Q&A:
Q: Jett, big national stage here this week. What would you like to get out of this experience?
A: Trying to learn more defense. I'm trying to play well with others. Trying to score the ball, of course. And I'm obviously trying to make the team. So, it's a lot.
Q: The last time I saw you, you had hurt your ankle playing with Nightrydas Elite 15s on the Nike EYBL circuit. Can you talk about playing with that team, Gregg Glenn and that group. How has that been going?
A: That has to be like the most talented team I've ever played on. There were four USA [Basketball] kids that played in October -- me, Gregg, 'Cari and 'Mari [Henderson], the twins. So, it's just nice that you can rely on somebody else and not take all the pressure when you play against a good team.
Q: Who is recruiting you the most right now? And secondly, what are the biggest factors for you in picking a college?
A: So far I've had Vanderbilt offer me and the University of Florida. And then I've had some interest from Kansas. The main goal is basically just to play my first year, of course, and get to the league. That's the main goal.
Q: You won it all as a freshman at University School. Do you plan on going back there? What does the future hold for University School?
A: I mean I re-enrolled to U-School so I think I'm going to go back there. Because for my brother [2020 Jace Howard], he's been to three high schools already so we can't go to four high schools. So, we're going to stick it out for one more year. I might go to Michigan [for high school] the year after that.
Q: I can't let you go without asking about dad [Juwan Howard] with the big news today and the Michigan job. How happy are you for him?
A: I'm super happy for my dad. He's been working this past month on getting new NBA jobs and college jobs. I'm just happy that all his hard work went to use. He always told me that the only college [job he'd take] is really Michigan.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com
