Pair of Oregon signees invited to USA U19 training camp
A pair of signees from Oregon’s vaunted 2023 recruiting class could potentially be playing on the national stage this summer.
On Wednesday, USA Basketball announced a list of 35 athletes invited to participate in its Junior National Teams training camp ahead of the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup.
Oregon signees Jackson Shelstad and Mookie Cook were among the players selected.
“We are excited about the pool of players that will compete to represent the United States at the FIBA Men’s U19 World Cup,” USA Basketball Men’s National Team director Sean Ford said. “We have a great mix of players with previous USA Basketball experience and newcomers, and together will field a great team for the competition in Hungary.”
Shelstad, a point guard from West Linn (Ore.) is the No. 25 player in his class and the No. 7 point guard, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He committed to UO in Nov. 2021 and his stock continued to rise last winter after a standout showing at the Les Schwab Invitational during which he led his school to wins over a pair of powerhouse programs — Duncanville (Tex.) and Sierra Canyon (Calif.) — in a span of two days.
Cook, a small forward from Portland who spent his senior season at Compass Prep in Arizona, is the No. 32 overall prospect and No. 9 player at his position in the ’23 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He chose Oregon over offers from Kentucky, Gonzaga, and countless others.
The US19 training camp will be held at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Camp begins June 11 with the 12-member team to be announced before departing for the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, scheduled for June 24-July 2 in Debrecen, Hungary.
The United States will face Lebanon, Madagascar, and Slovenia in pool play.
Jackson Shelstad’s On3 Scouting Report
Jackson Shelstad is a quick-on-quick point guard. He plays with a great pace and makes good decisions with the ball. He touches the paint in the half-court and has range that extends out to 35 feet. Shelstad will need to continue getting stronger. He can get caught up in playing too east and west and settling for deep jumpers instead of attacking the rim. His teammates seem to like playing with him, and he competes. Consistency will be a thing with him. Has upside as a point-of-attack defender.
Mookie Cook’s On3 Scouting Report
Cook has all the tools. At 6-foot-8 he has the positional size. The broad shoulders and long arms showcase a projectable frame. Cook is a functional athlete and he has a smooth release on his jump shot with range. The question mark with Cook is his consistency. He seems to get lost in the shuffle a good amount, not imposing his will on the flow of the game. Cook has a tendency to settle for jump shots. He has the dimensions and physical traits to be a good team defender. This upcoming summer will be a big one in the development of Cook figuring out who and what he is as a prospect and player. The tools are there, the upside is still immense.
