Michigan State University Athletics
Appling Enjoys Team USA Experience
7/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 14, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State sophomore guard Keith Appling returned to the United States on July 11 after spending more than two weeks in Lithuania and Latvia with Team USA for the FIBA U19 World Championships. Team USA posted a 7-2 record in the tournament, placing fifth.
Appling came off the bench in all nine games, averaging 4.1 points and 10.3 minutes. Many of his minutes came at the point, as he posted a 1.57 assist-to-turnover ratio (11 assists, 7 turnovers). He shot 40.6 percent from the field and a team-best 90.9 percent from the foul line. His top scoring effort came in the tournament opener against Egypt, as he scored 10 points.
"To be able to play basketball for Team USA was great for me," said Appling. "It was everything I thought it would be. Unfortunately, we were unable to win the Gold, but all-in-all it was still a great experience for me and my teammates."
One of Appling's best memories was getting to put on the official Team USA jersey. "When those jerseys came out, whew, I took a deep breath. I had LeBron James' number (No. 6), so I was extra pumped about that. I said to myself `this is the real deal.'"
Team USA posted a 5-1 record in pool play, but was upset by Russia in the quarterfinals, 79-74, dashing any chances of the Americans winning a medal. Appling and his teammates won their final two games to place fifth overall.
Luke Winn of SI.com attended most of the tournament and had the following to say about Appling: "He was the steadiest of the U.S. point guards in short stretches, and had to be called on to right the ship when they were struggling against Russia and Australia."
Despite coming up short of winning a medal, Appling has no regrets and would welcome another opportunity. "It was an experience only a few get to experience, and I was one of those lucky few that got to experience it."
