Booker Accepts Invite To World University Games

Rising senior led team in scoring and rebounding as a junior

By: Clemson Athletics release | WSPA-TV
Published: May 20, 2009

Clemson, SC – Trevor Booker is one of several college basketball standouts invited to participate in the trials for the U.S. team for the 2009 World University Games, which will be held in Serbia from July 1-12. Booker, a rising senior for Clemson, will audition for the 12-man roster at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO from June 16-18. The trials invitations were extended by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee.

Booker is bidding to become the fourth Clemson player named to a World University Games roster for Team USA. Dale Davis competed in 1989, Sharone Wright in 1993, and Greg Buckner in 1997. All three went on to lead the United States to gold medal performances.

A native of Whitmire, SC, Booker led the Tigers in scoring (15.3 ppg) and rebounding (9.7 rpg) as a junior. He was a second-team All-ACC selection after leading the conference in both field goal percentage (.571) and rebounding. He was the first ACC player to lead the league in both categories in the same season since Tim Duncan in 1997. Booker ranks in the top 10 in Clemson history in field goal percentage (.576), rebounds (792), and blocked shots (204).

Team USA will be coached by Wisconsin mentor Bo Ryan, who was an assistant coach in 1995 at the World University Games alongside current Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell. The two helped the U.S. to a gold medal performance in Japan.

Other players vying for spots on Team USA include: James Anderson (Oklahoma State), Talor Battle (Penn State), Craig Brackins (Iowa State), Da’Sean Butler (West Virginia), Sherron Collins (Kansas), Mike Davis (Illinois), Corey Fisher (Villanova), Lazar Hayward (Marquette), Robbie Hummel (Purdue), JaJuan Johnson (Purdue), Quincy Pondexter (Washington), Deon Thompson (North Carolina), Evan Turner (Ohio State), and Jarvis Varnado (Mississippi State).