America sends a squad for a second consecutive year to the Bucharest Challeger. Ben, Brian and Charlie make a unique BBC trident on the semicircle, that Romanian 3×3 basketball fans are welcomed to watch on Saturday and Sunday on the courts set at University Square. To this “BBC formula” , add a “M”, for Michael – an experienced 34-years-old basketball player, 2.03 m tall, to form Clearwater.
Ben Patrick, Brian Pegg, Mike and Charlie Lytle make the squad sent by the world’s strongest basketball nation. They are coming to Bucharest in search of the 5.000 ROL check and valuable points in the FIBA World Rankings. Without regularly touring on the FIBA 3×3 European tournaments, Ben – for instance – bares no points in the official standings. But the boys’ highlight of the season is without a doubt their participation at the US Basketball trials that established the four players that would later represent the US at the 3×3 national team competitions. The American system is slightly different from what is happening in Europe: USA Basketball annually holds a trial between teams that have won various FIBA Endorsed tournaments on American soil to establish the eligible quartet to play internationally for Uncle Sam as a national team.
Key player: Ben Patrick
The American play-maker, 1.88m tall, is the best ranked player of the four making the trip to Bucharest, as shown by the FIBA World Rankings (41st ranked American). With two 2,05m and 2,03m teammates, Ben is the captain amongst former Division 1 scholarship players.
On its first showing in Bucharest, Clearwater’s mission is to repeat or better the podium-finish scored by New York Halem countrymen – 3rd in 2016 at Raiffeisen Bank Bucharest Challenger.
Photo: USA Basketball
