Iowa's Melsahn Basabe doesn't make national team

Iowa sophomore Melsahn Basabe wasn't listed among 13 finalists for the United States nationl U-19 men's basketball team, which was released this morning.

Basabe, who hails from Glen Cove, N.Y., was one of eight players cut from the team. Last year Basabe led the Hawkeyes in rebounding (6.8) and blocks (41) and finished second in scoring (11.0). Basabe (6-foot-7, 225) was the first Hawkeye freshman to amass over 340 points, 200 rebounds and 40 blocks.

Three Big Ten players were listed as finalists - Illinois' Meyers Leonard, Michigan State's Keith Appling and Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr. Creighton sophomore Doug McDermott, son of former UNI and Iowa State Coach Greg McDermott and an Ames graduate, also was a finalist. The team will cut one more player before traveling to Latvia later this month.

Basabe now will compete in the North Liberty-based Prime Time League this summer and join fellow Iowa teammate Matt Gatens and incoming Iowa freshman Aaron White on Culver's-Iowa City Fitness.