Joey Dorsey Looking to Make Pan American Games Team

Dorsey to give international game a whirl

If the USA coaches are looking for an athletic, mobile big man, Joey Dorsey might be their man, says U of M assistant Derek Kellogg.

By Dan Wolken
July 12, 2007

University of Memphis senior forward Joey Dorsey will be in Philadelphia today trying to snag one of 12 spots on the USA Basketball squad that goes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Pan American Games on July 25-29.

Thirty-two players are in the tryout camp which runs through Saturday, including Tennessee guard Chris Lofton and Vanderbilt guard Shan Foster.

Dorsey will have stiff competition to make the squad because several of the country's best big men are in the trials. Among them: Georgetown's Roy Hibbert, Washington's Jon Brockman, Wisconsin's Brian Butch, Alabama's Richard Hendrix, Oregon's Maarty Leunen and Indiana's D.J. White.

"It all depends on what they're looking for and the style of play," Memphis assistant coach Derek Kellogg said. "If they're looking to get out and run and be athletic and have a fun style, I think Joey is your perfect bigger player to have. If they want to play half-court and run 1,000 plays, that might not be conducive to his game.

"International ball has become an up-and-down fun style to watch, and I think he fits in that style great. A lot of it will be how he plays. He'll have to go out there and put his best foot forward, block shots, rebound and be athletic."

Regardless of whether Dorsey makes the squad, Kellogg said it will be a good experience for the 6-foot-9, 260-pound power forward, who was named Conference USA's defensive player of the year.

"We're looking forward to him having that opportunity to see where he stacks up against the top big guys," Kellogg said. "There's no better honor than to go represent your country against the best players at your age level in the world."

Villanova coach Jay Wright will serve as head coach for the U.S. team. He'll be assisted by Alabama's Mark Gottfried and Yale's James Jones.

-- Dan Wolken: 529-2365

U.S. Pan american basketball trials

What: 32 college men's basketball players vying for 12 spots on the U.S. team competing in the Pan American games later this month in Brazil

When, where: Today-Saturday in Haverford, Pa. Team will be announced Sunday.

Area participants: Memphis F Joey Dorsey, Tennessee G Chris Lofton, Vanderbilt F Shan Foster