Hamilton Heights sophomore post Abdulhakim Ado, who already has been offered a scholarship by Vanderbilt, has been selected to play with the USA Elite National Under-20 team at the World Championships in Tourcoing, France.
“We are excited about this opportunity for Abdul to compete on a world stage,” Hamilton Heights coach Zach Ferrell said in a release from the school. “To be able to compete against some of the best in the world and to see and experience another country and culture is a priceless opportunity.”
The World Championships will be held June 18-23 and the USA team will compete against seven other countries.
Players who competed with the USA Elite Team include Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Spence Hawes, Thaddeus Young, Rudy Gay, Tywon Lawson, Jordan Hamilton, Lamarcus Aldridge, Brook and Robin Lopez and Josh Boone.
The 6-foot-11-inch Ado, who is 15 years old and originally from Nigeria, helped the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the National Association of Christian Athletes basketball tournament in late February.
He averaged 9.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 7.3 blocked shots per game during the 2013-14 season.
Ado scored a season-high 41 points against Bradley Central early in the season.
“Abdul is a great player and great person,” Ferrell said. “We, as a team and school, are proud of him and the opportunity he has earned. This will be a huge stepping stone for his development and will be an experience he will never forget.”
Ado and teammates Ezekiel Balogun, a sophomore, and freshman Silas Adheke are also competing this summer in the Nike EYBL with the Georgia Stars.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com)