SSCC's McAvene named '13 Jones Cup USA national team head coach
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Southern State men's basketball head coach Travis McAvene is returning to coach Team USA in the 2013 Jones Cup tournament this summer.
Last year, as head coach of Team USA, McAvene's team won the bronze medal, and this past season, in just his first year at the helm of the SSCC men's basketball program, the Patriots went 25-3 overall, breaking the school mark in victories.
At SSCC this past winter, the Patriots led the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (Division I) with 96.3 points per game, along with winning in the postseason in the five-team Independent College National Tournament in Parkersburg, W.Va.[[In-content Ad]]McAvene spoke about returning as head coach of Team USA for the Jones Cup, motivated to win the gold medal as Team USA was one point away from winning the gold in '12.
"I'm very excited to return as the head coach for our Jones Cup USA National Team," McAvene said. "It is a great opportunity to coach and compete against the best international professional basketball teams in Asia and the Middle East.
"I'm very determined this summer to win a gold medal for our country. We will have better overall talent and experience this year, which will give us a great chance to bring a championship back to the United States."
The William R. Jones Cup is one of the biggest annual International Basketball Federation (otherwise known as FIBA) tournaments in Asia, held in Taipei, Taiwan for the last 34 years.
Compared to the way the game is played in the United States, the international game has some differences, and McAvene said his players have to adjust to those rules.
"The international game is a lot different," he said. "There are four 10-minute quarters, and the game is officiated differently because they let the game be played with more physicality.
"The pace of the game is more up-tempo, but that is the way I coach the game. That aspect plays favorably to the way I like to coach."
Team USA Jones Cup board member David Walls told The Highland County Press it was an interesting story on how McAvene became the Team USA head coach for the Jones Cup.
"It is a lot about being in the right place at the right time," Walls said. "We had some details that we couldn't get worked out with a couple other coaches, but we had Travis on the staff as an assistant at the time.
"Travis was a coach of the year, and we were really high on him, so we took him on as an assistant coach. Right before we were about to leave for the Jones Cup, some details didn't get worked out with the other coaches, so we decided to take a chance on Travis."
Walls said it ended up being the best decision for Team USA.
"Travis isn't a loser," Walls said. "Travis is very competitive, very prepared and is obsessed with winning. He's had success at every level he's coached at, and that means a lot to us.
"He can also transition in life and on the court, and when you are playing overseas, in a different country, you must be able to adjust. Our goal is to win the gold medal."
The tournament takes place between July and August, consisting of men's and women's tournaments.
"I really enjoyed coaching last year's team and was able to compete against the best professional talent throughout Asia and the Middle East," McAvene said. "We were very close to winning a gold medal last summer, and I'm very determined bring home a gold medal this summer.
"We will have more overall talent, experience and size on this summer's Jones Cup team. We will have a veteran group of players that know how to win and have great experience playing professional basketball at the international level."
In an interview on teamusajonescup.com, coach McAvene spoke about the difference between last year and the upcoming year for Team USA.
"Last summer, we were just too young and immature," he said. "I noticed that all other national teams had experience all over. This summer, we will follow suit.
“We will return a few of our top guys from last summer, but for the most part, we will clean house."
McAvene has also coached semi-pro basketball, being selected as the UBA Coach of the Year for the 2011-12 season.
Last summer, Team USA was third with a record of 5-3 as there were eight games played in eight days, with second place going to Iran at 6-2. The gold medal winner was the Philippines with a mark of 7-1.
"This year should be a lot smoother," McAvene said. "There are a lot more experienced players on the team this summer. Last year, we didn't have a true center or true point guard, but we've been able to add all those elements."
In the '12 tournament, Team USA defeated Zhonghua, 100-77, then defeated Korea, 84-75. In their third game, Team USA topped Guanghua, 126-71, then lost to Iran, 97-89 in double overtime in a game described as "controversial" according to an article on teamusajonescup.com.
Team USA rebounded with a 95-73 victory over Japan and a 77-66 victory against Jordan. Team USA then lost to Lebanon, 70-67, and in their final game, they fell to the Philippines, 76-75.
"Coaching at the professional level last summer really helped me become a better coach," McAvene said. "It gave me a lot of confidence headed into the college season, and I think this year will help as well."
For more information on Jones Cup Team USA, visit: http://www.teamusajonescup.com.
Last year, as head coach of Team USA, McAvene's team won the bronze medal, and this past season, in just his first year at the helm of the SSCC men's basketball program, the Patriots went 25-3 overall, breaking the school mark in victories.
At SSCC this past winter, the Patriots led the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (Division I) with 96.3 points per game, along with winning in the postseason in the five-team Independent College National Tournament in Parkersburg, W.Va.[[In-content Ad]]McAvene spoke about returning as head coach of Team USA for the Jones Cup, motivated to win the gold medal as Team USA was one point away from winning the gold in '12.
"I'm very excited to return as the head coach for our Jones Cup USA National Team," McAvene said. "It is a great opportunity to coach and compete against the best international professional basketball teams in Asia and the Middle East.
"I'm very determined this summer to win a gold medal for our country. We will have better overall talent and experience this year, which will give us a great chance to bring a championship back to the United States."
The William R. Jones Cup is one of the biggest annual International Basketball Federation (otherwise known as FIBA) tournaments in Asia, held in Taipei, Taiwan for the last 34 years.
Compared to the way the game is played in the United States, the international game has some differences, and McAvene said his players have to adjust to those rules.
"The international game is a lot different," he said. "There are four 10-minute quarters, and the game is officiated differently because they let the game be played with more physicality.
"The pace of the game is more up-tempo, but that is the way I coach the game. That aspect plays favorably to the way I like to coach."
Team USA Jones Cup board member David Walls told The Highland County Press it was an interesting story on how McAvene became the Team USA head coach for the Jones Cup.
"It is a lot about being in the right place at the right time," Walls said. "We had some details that we couldn't get worked out with a couple other coaches, but we had Travis on the staff as an assistant at the time.
"Travis was a coach of the year, and we were really high on him, so we took him on as an assistant coach. Right before we were about to leave for the Jones Cup, some details didn't get worked out with the other coaches, so we decided to take a chance on Travis."
Walls said it ended up being the best decision for Team USA.
"Travis isn't a loser," Walls said. "Travis is very competitive, very prepared and is obsessed with winning. He's had success at every level he's coached at, and that means a lot to us.
"He can also transition in life and on the court, and when you are playing overseas, in a different country, you must be able to adjust. Our goal is to win the gold medal."
The tournament takes place between July and August, consisting of men's and women's tournaments.
"I really enjoyed coaching last year's team and was able to compete against the best professional talent throughout Asia and the Middle East," McAvene said. "We were very close to winning a gold medal last summer, and I'm very determined bring home a gold medal this summer.
"We will have more overall talent, experience and size on this summer's Jones Cup team. We will have a veteran group of players that know how to win and have great experience playing professional basketball at the international level."
In an interview on teamusajonescup.com, coach McAvene spoke about the difference between last year and the upcoming year for Team USA.
"Last summer, we were just too young and immature," he said. "I noticed that all other national teams had experience all over. This summer, we will follow suit.
“We will return a few of our top guys from last summer, but for the most part, we will clean house."
McAvene has also coached semi-pro basketball, being selected as the UBA Coach of the Year for the 2011-12 season.
Last summer, Team USA was third with a record of 5-3 as there were eight games played in eight days, with second place going to Iran at 6-2. The gold medal winner was the Philippines with a mark of 7-1.
"This year should be a lot smoother," McAvene said. "There are a lot more experienced players on the team this summer. Last year, we didn't have a true center or true point guard, but we've been able to add all those elements."
In the '12 tournament, Team USA defeated Zhonghua, 100-77, then defeated Korea, 84-75. In their third game, Team USA topped Guanghua, 126-71, then lost to Iran, 97-89 in double overtime in a game described as "controversial" according to an article on teamusajonescup.com.
Team USA rebounded with a 95-73 victory over Japan and a 77-66 victory against Jordan. Team USA then lost to Lebanon, 70-67, and in their final game, they fell to the Philippines, 76-75.
"Coaching at the professional level last summer really helped me become a better coach," McAvene said. "It gave me a lot of confidence headed into the college season, and I think this year will help as well."
For more information on Jones Cup Team USA, visit: http://www.teamusajonescup.com.