Spartans' Valentine, Terps' Trimble picked for USA Basketball roster

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Two Big Ten players will be representing the United States at this summer's Pan American Games in Toronto.

Michigan State senior Denzel Valentine and Maryland sophomore Melo Trimble were both named to USA Basketball's 12-man roster on Sunday. The team will compete in the Pan American Games from July 21 through July 25 in Toronto.

Valentine helped guide the Spartans to the seventh Final Four appearance of the Tom Izzo Era this spring. He earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors after finishing in the top 15 in the conference in scoring, rebounding and assists. He started all 39 games for Michigan State.

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Trimble was one of the most talented freshmen in the country this past season, earning All-Big Ten First Team honors while helping lead the Terps to their first NCAA tournament appearance in five seasons and 28 wins, tied for the second most in school history.

Three other Big Ten players — Illinois' Malcolm Hill, Purdue's Isaac Haas and Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes — were among the 22 invited to participate in USA Basketball's training camp, but they were not selected for the team.

The team will be coached by Gonzaga head coach Mark Few and will train this week at the Advocate Center here in Chicago.

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