BASKETBALL
Khaalidah Miller, a rising sophomore with the Lady Dawgs, is one of 35 of the nation’s top basketball players who have accepted invitations to USA Basketball’s trials for the U19 National Team.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” Miller said. “I like the fact that there’s going to be so much competition. Many of the top college freshmen and high school juniors and seniors will be there. I think it will be a great experience.”
Miller, a 5-9, guard from Atlanta’s Douglass High, will travel to Colorado Springs for the trials from May 22-25. The team of 12 players selected will represent the United States at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championships in Puerto Montt, Chile in July.
“After an outstanding freshman season, I’m pleased for Khaalidah that she’s been invited to the U19 World Championship team tryouts,” coach Andy Landers said. “This will be a great opportunity for her. She certainly has the ability to earn a position on this team and we’ll all be pulling for her with great anticipation.”
Miller was named to the All-SEC Freshman team after averaging 9.1 points and 2.9 rebounds and connecting on a team-high 53 three-pointers for the Lady Dawgs during the 2010-11 season. Her scoring average jumped to 10.7 ppg in SEC competition, which ranked second on the team. Miller reached double figures in 14 games, including a trio of 20-point outings.
Miller was named SEC Freshman of the Week three times: on January 3rd after averaging 13.0 ppg in three games the previous week; on January 10th after scoring a career-high 24 points in a victory at No. 10 Kentucky; and on February 7th after averaging 15.5 ppg in victories over Arkansas and Alabama.
The Lady Dawgs have a long and storied history representing the U.S. in international competition. Most notably, Teresa Edwards is the only American basketball player to compete in five Olympic Games and compiled a 205-14 record playing for 22 different USA Basketball teams. All told, 25 former Lady Dawgs have participated in more than 40 different competitions worldwide.