Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright has been selected to coach this summer's USA Basketball Pan American Games team, USA Basketball announced yesterday.
According to a source close to the team, Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds and St. Joseph's Ahmad Nivins were invited to try out for the team.
This year's Pan American Games will take place in Rio de Janeiro from July 13 to 30. Tryouts for the 12-member team are scheduled for July 12-14 at Haverford College.
"It's obviously an honor when you get to represent your country," Wright said yesterday. "To coach this kind of caliber of talent is a thrill."
Wright led the American team to gold at the 2005 World University Games in Izmir, Turkey, as the head coach. He was named the USA Basketball co-developmental coach of the year after that championship, when the team went 8-0.
"We all took great pride in that," Wright said.
He also was an assistant coach for the 2000 Championship for Young Men qualifying tournament and won silver.
Wright will be assisted by Alabama coach Mark Gottfried and Yale coach James Jones.
Villanova assistant coach Jason Donnelly will also be part of the staff.
Teams from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and the U.S. Virgin Islands also will compete.
The United States opens preliminary play against Uruguay on July 25.
Wright said the experience of coaching and playing for USA Basketball has many benefits.
"It's really helpful when you come back to your own team," he said. "You realize you just worked with the best players in the country. Most on this team will be [NBA] first-round draft choices."
Contact staff writer Shannon Ryan at 215-854-5503 or sryan@phillynews.com.
