Marquette University Athletics
Hayward Earns Spot On World University Games Roster
6/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 18, 2009
Milwaukee -
Official USA Basketball Release
Senior forward Lazar Hayward of the Marquette University men's basketball team has earned one of 12 roster spots on the 2009 USA Men's World University Games Team, USA Basketball announced Thursday afternoon.
Hayward becomes the 14th player in Marquette history to represent the United State in international competition with his selection.
"I need a dictionary right now to try and describe how happy I am," Hayward said. "To have 'USA' written across my chest in a couple of weeks is a dream come true and it's almost surreal right now for me, it really is."
The World University Games is organized by the International University Sports Federation and held every other year. The 2009 men's basketball competition will take place July 2-12 in Belgrade, Serbia, with 24 men's teams expected to compete for gold. Eligible athletes for the USA team must be currently enrolled in a college or university and have remaining NCAA athletic eligibility.
University of Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan has been selected by USA Basketball to serve as head coach of the 2009 USA Men's World University Games Team. Ryan's two assistant coaches will be collegiate head coaches Frank Haith of the University of Miami and Rob Jeter of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Named to the 2009 USA Men's World University Games Team were: James Anderson (Oklahoma State / Junction City, Ark.); Talor Battle (Penn State / Albany, N.Y.); Trevor Booker (Clemson / Whitmire, S.C.); Craig Brackins (Iowa State / Palmdale, Calif.); Da'Sean Butler (West Virginia / Newark, N.J.); Corey Fisher (Villanova / Bronx, N.Y.); Lazar Hayward (Marquette / Buffalo, N.Y.); Robbie Hummel (Purdue / Valparaiso, Ind.); Quincy Pondexter (Washington / Fresno, Calif.); Deon Thompson (North Carolina / Torrance, Calif.); Evan Turner (Ohio State / Chicago, Ill.); and Jarvis Varnado (Mississippi State / Brownsville, Tenn.).
"I am genuinely excited for Lazar and his family and the opportunity to represent not only the country, but the program and University as well on an international stage," head coach Buzz Williams said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Lazar and will be a great experience.
