USA Select News Flash
Ryan Kilmartin Showcases His Reporting Skills
The Tennessee men's basketball team recently visited a 5K put on by the Butterfly Fund, an organization that raises money to fight childhood cancers. The Vols got their faces painted before congratulating runners as the crossed the finish line.
Ryan takes this opportunity to not only interview participants, but also his coach!
Hello My Name Is: Ryan Kilmartin
This is the third installment of a multi-part series highlighting the 2011-12 Tennessee basketball newcomers. In this edition of "Hello My Name Is," UTsports.com chats it up with sophomore transfer Ryan Kilmartin, a guard from Charlotte, N.C
Original article published at http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061311aab.html
Q: You redshirted at Appalachian State in 2009-10 then spent your freshman year with the Mountaineers last season. Tell us about your decision to come to Knoxville and walk-on at Tennessee.
A: "Well, my dad's my role model. And if I was going to be away from my father (who lives in North Carolina), I wanted to learn under someone who would be like another father figure. I feel like under coach Martin and the rest of this staff, I can grow and develop into a mature young man off the court as well as on."
Q: Talk about your initial impressions of your new teammates and coaches here on Rocky Top.
A: "I like them all. They're all really welcoming. The other guys on the team are willing to lend a hand if I need a ride or need directions getting somewhere on campus. They offer for me to come hang out or get some food. They've been really open and just cool, fun people."
Q: Taking part in last weekend's Habitat for Humanity event with the team must have been a nice way to get to know some of the guys. Did any of them show a surprising knack for carpentry?
A: "I feel like Skylar (McBee) was pretty good at that sort of thing. That was the first time we got to talk, and his accent kind of threw me off for a second (laughs). (Assistant coach Kent) Williams... he had a pretty good knack for it. I should have brought some suntan lotion with me that day."
Q: What's your favorite meal?
A: "I really enjoy Indian food, like chicken tikki massala. I've found a pretty good Indian place here in Knoxville, already. It's different. My mom's Welsh, and for some reason Indian food is big in Wales, so she kind of grew up on it. We sometimes visit Wales as a family when we can, and we started eating Indian food at a young age. You just get accustomed to it. If you're not used to that sort of food, your stomach might get upset. It just depends on what you get."
Q: Can you dunk?
A: "Yes. My first dunk was in a pickup game with some of my friends at the Y. I had a fast break, and I figured `I'll just go for it.' And I dunked it."
Q: In your opinion, what is your biggest strength on the basketball court? And what area of your game do you most want to improve upon?
A: "I feel like my shooting is my biggest strength, and also just being a team player and having a good work ethic. I feel like I have a high basketball IQ... being in the right place, helping on defense. And I guess explosion would be my weakness."
Q: What's this we hear about you playing for Wales in the 2007 FIBA European Championships?
A: "Like I said earlier, my mom's from Wales. The FIBA rules allow for players who have a British passport to qualify for the National Team, so over the course of three tryouts back and forth to the UK, I made the U-18 national team. We won the silver in the European Championships in 2007, then we won gold with the U-20s--my brother, Alex, was on that team--last summer in Belgium. I led the team in scoring with 15.4 points and also averaged 5.8 rebounds. This summer, I was invited to play for the men's national team. It's an honor to represent a country."
Q: Your mom is Welsh, and your dad played basketball at Appalachian State. So how exactly did your parents meet?
A: "When my dad finished college, he played basketball overseas a little bit. Later on he was working at a health club at a hotel in Mallorca, Spain, and my mom used to model--she was Miss Wales in 1984 and she was in the Miss Universe pageant that year--and I guess she was on a tour there or something. They met each other, and right away my dad called his mom--my grandmother--and told her he just met his future wife."
Q: So the question on everyone's mind is, did you get invited to the Royal Wedding this spring?
A: "I wish! A lot of people say I look like Prince William. I've heard that a couple times. But, no, unfortunately I did not. I'd love an invite to the next one, though. My mom did make me watch it that morning. It's a huge deal over in Europe."
Q: We hear you're a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Talk about your background in that sport.
A: "It started when I was a kid. Once I got involved with it, my parents really liked it for me and my brother, Alex, who's going to UNC Wilmington next year to play basketball. It gave us a lot of discipline, respect for others and it put us in position to see things in certain ways as mature young adults. But respect and discipline are the main things we took from it."
Q: Better movie, Karate Kid or Karate Kid II?
A: "The one that pops in my head is the original Karate Kid. Wait, you're not talking about the new Karate kid, are you?"
UTsports: "Heck no! Anyone other than Ralph Macchio is an impostor!"
Q: Did you play any sports other than basketball while you were growing up?
A: "Tae Kwon do was about it. I mean, we played all sorts of stuff in our neighborhood, but I didn't get too serious into anything else. Oh, I was part of my neighborhood swim team before I left for college."
Q: Who is your favorite pro athlete in a sport other than basketball and why?
A: "I really don't have one. My role model would most definitely be my father. That's why I chose my number (here at Tennessee, No. 21). His number was 41 in college. If could be half the man he is, I would be so happy."
Q: What's the one non-sports TV show you can't miss?
A: "I'm stuck between the Graham Norton Show and Doctor Who. They're both British shows. They come on BBC America. It's kind of a family thing. I watch them on Netflix. The Graham Norton Show is kind of like a British version of Jay Leno. They have a lot of celebrity guests. And Doctor Who is an old sci-fi show."
Q: What kind of toys did you play with when you were little? Were you a Hot Wheels guy or an action-figure guy?
A: "I don't know... I think my friends and I usually just went outside and did something active."
Q: What three words would you use to describe head coach Cuonzo Martin?
A: "Genuine. Caring--because he cares about more than just basketball. He wants to see us mature off the court, academically and as young men. And the last word... knowledgeable. He knows a lot about the game and it shows through his resume."
Q: Have you ever "swept the leg?"
A: "I have no idea what that means..."
UTsports: "It's a Karate Kid reference. In the tournament at the end of the movie, the Sensei from Cobra Kai Dojo tells his student to target Daniel's injured leg...
A: "Oh! (laughs). No, I play within the rules."
Beach Ball is in Alex Kilmartin's Future
[Copied by permission from the South Charlotte Sports Report]
Team USA Select wins 3 out of 4 games in one night!
The touring club run by Sean Kilmartin sent eight-man sides to Rockets and Leopards, winning 86-84 and 74-56 respectively, while a 16-man squad traveled to the Leicester to play the midlands teams.
Derby were the first in action, and despite a good performance from the Division One champions – who included new American signing Chris Page from Taunton Tigers – they went down 82-72.
With the USA side having arrived in London at lunchtime, there was probably an element of tiredness in their performance against Riders as they trailed by 24 at the final break before Riders wrapped up the win with a dominant fourth period.
Meanwhile in Reading, the Rockets went agonizingly close to winning the game as Matt Guymon saw a buzzer-beating three-point attempt rim out. Guymon was snatched from under the noses of BBL Plymouth Raiders, while another player that appeared to be joining another team (Manchester Magic), Niko Scott top scored for the Rockets with 36 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
And finally, in Brentwood the Select team collected their biggest win of the night. With 20-year-old Leigh Greenan the Big Cats’ second oldest player, it was a youthful home side who took to the floor, but with two senior players still to join up with Mark Clark’s team there were plenty of positives for the Leopards.
Greenan finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 19 points, while Marlan Henry added 13 points, four rebounds and two steals with Josh Johnson chipping in with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists Eddie Marrs led the visitors with 17 points, five boards and four steals, with Jarvis Hill and Devon Carter each adding 13 points, and the latter pulling down five rebounds.
The Big Cats out-rebounded the Select team 39-30, but struggled offensively and also turned the ball over 23 times. Greenan opened the scoring with a three-point play, and a tight first period saw the visitors go into the second quarter with a 23-21 lead.
They never gave up that advantage as a 13-0 run saw USA take control of the game, and they went into locker room with a 42-28 lead. A low scoring third period saw the visitors shade it 10-8 to lead by 16 at the final break, and they wrapped things up with a 22-20 fourth stanza. The tour continues over the weekend for the Team USA sides with three more games. The side that defeated Leopards move to play Worcester Wolves on Saturday before facing MK Lions the following day.
The side who faced Reading Rockets make the long trip to Glasgow Rocks before moving on to Sheffield to complete in the Arrows tournament, while the squad who face Riders and Trailblazers remain in Leicester to play Lions on Saturday and then travel down to Plymouth to face the Raiders.
Filed under British Basketball League (BBL), EBL By Dave Ryan
Picture courtesy www.essexsportsagency.com
USA Select Basketball Completes 2009 European Exposure Tour
Sean Kilmartin, USA Select Basketball General Manager, was pleased with the results of the 2009 European Exposure Tour. For there first time ever, USA Select brought two teams on tour. Charlotte based USA Select Basketball just completed it's 9th European Exhibition Tour. The organization, headed by Charlottean Sean Kilmartin, is a professional basketball marketing group designed to help American players find contracts on European teams. USA Select has several "try out" camps around the country and then selects it's travel team. The team plays a series of exhibition show case games against top teams in Europe in an effort to get the US players exposure leading to professional contracts.
According to Kilmartin , "the growth that we have experienced in the last few years is quite exciting. We had some may teams to schedule this year, it required us to add an additional team".
The primary team, "Blue Team" played a grueling 16 game schedule in 4 countries over a 20 day trip (including the Trans Atlantic flights). Playing top British Basketball League (BBL) teams and Finish Korsliiga teams, USA Select compiled an impressive record and still was able to showcase all 14 players.
The second team, "Red Team", played an equally challenging schedule of 9 games in 7 days in the UK. The team was coached by USA Select partner David Lawrence. The team had an incredible 8-1 record.
According to Colin Barrell, who hosted the "Red Team" in a 2 day, 4 game event in England, ".. please pass on our appreciation to Coach David Lawrence and all the players who conducted themselves in a way which is a credit to your set up, it was a pleasure to be their host for the weekend, they were great company."
Historically these players have come from large programs like Duke, NC State, U Conn, Arizona State,Wake Forest to mid majors like Appalachian Sate , Davidson,Xavier, Temple, St. Joe's and Cleveland State. Smaller schools like Barton, Winston-Salem State and Limestone college.
Training camp was held in Pineville at the Morrison YMCA, Belle Johnston Center and local restaurants Showmars and City Tavern fed the team.
This year, the team played an incredible total of 16 matches in 20 days covering nearly 20,000 miles. Playing in a different city nearly every night, the group had the opportunity to play several televised games in front of packed gyms, playing in locations like London, Glasgow, Helsinki and more. One event lead them to play in Plymouth England and visited the famous Mayflower steps (where the ship of the same name set off for the New World.)
In one incredible day of travel, the Blue team had breakfast in Glasgow, Scotland; Lunch in London,England; and dinner in Helsinki Finland!
Although an exhaustive schedule, the tour allowed for great exposure for the players who hailed from schools as varied as Appalachian State University, Arizona State University, Elizabeth City State University, Lasell College, Kent State University, St. Augustine's College, Coastal Carolina University, NC A&T State University, Columbia, Truman State, UNC Pembroke, Allen University, University of Wisconsin, Barton College, UC Santa Barbara,Elizabeth City State University, Frostburg College and Wagner University.
Coach Kilmartin has been doing this for over ten years and has helped placed players all over the world with professional contracts. Over the years, USA Select has played top teams in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungry, Finland, Ireland and others.
This years group landed an abundance tryouts and offers for players. Plans are already underway for the tryout dates for the 2010 tour and expect to be on our site by Mid January.
American and BBL Preseason Games
Rockets launch their preseason with a home game at Rivermead on Friday 18th September at 7.30 p.m. with the visit of Team USA Select. The following week, on Wednesday 23rd September, at The Pavilions in Plymouth, Rockets take on the highly successful BBL team, Plymouth Raiders in the second pre-season friendly in preparation for the competitive season that starts for Rockets on Saturday 3rd October when they're away to newly promoted London Mets in the National Trophy.
Rockets' Chairman Gary Johnson was thrilled that the touring team, Team USA Select, was able to fit in a visit to Reading for the 6th consecutive year as requests to play the team have grown enormously over the years. Team USA Select's General Manager Sean Kilmartin has built strong relationships with Rockets and was determined to honour Rockets' request to not only play a game but also to hold a clinic with up and coming young basketball players before the game. So if you're aged 8 – 16 and want to have the opportunity to be coached by a team of Americans, put this date in your diary now and enrol on the clinic by contacting Rockets by e mail – sam@readingrockets.co.uk or by calling the Basketball Hotline 0118 926 3040. More details will appear on the website shortly.
The following week, on Wednesday 23rd September, at The Pavilions in Plymouth, Rockets take on the highly successful BBL team, Plymouth Raiders in the second pre-season friendly in preparation for the competitive season that starts for Rockets on Saturday 3rd October when they're away to newly promoted London Mets in the National Trophy. If you want to join Rockets in their first away trip, to Plymouth, the transport will be leaving Reading at approx. 2 p.m.
This will be the first of a number of games with BBL teams in the coming season with the highlight undoubtedly the home game against Newcastle Eagles in the BBL Trophy, a game to be arranged in January 2010. Watch this space.
Steven Sexton from Coastal Carolina University joins the 2009 European Exposure Tour team
Sean Kilmartin, General Manager of USA Select Basketball is pleased to announce that Steven Sexton from Coastal Carolina University has been invited to participate in the 2009 European Exposure Tour.
Through a series of nationwide tryouts, the 6-1 guard was offered one of the few spots on the nearly month long tour of exhibition basketball games in Western Europe.
The former Chanticleer averaged 8.9 points, 2.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds a game for Coastal Carolina and impressed the coaching staff of USA Select Basketball with his off the court demeanor as well.
USA Select Basketball is an organization designed to help under recognized players continue their basketball careers as professionals in Europe. Each year, USA Select Basketball will take a team of 12-15 recent college graduates on a nearly month long tour playing some of the top basketball teams in Western Europe in a series of preseason matches.
Bristol Flyers v Team USA Select - 11th September 2008 - Pre-season Challenge match
Sportuk.tv's cameras were at Filton College WISE Academy to bring you the best of the action between the Bristol Academy Flyers and Team USA Select. Team USA won 90-62. Afterwards Coach Sean Kilmartin spoke to Sportuk.tv's Nigel Turner
USA Select Basketball completes 2008 European Exhibition Tour
Charlotte based USA Select Basketball (www.USAselectbasketball.com) just completed it's 8th European Exhibition Tour the week. The organization, headed by Charlottean Sean Kilmartin, is a professional basketball marketing group designed to help American players find contracts on European teams. USA Select has several "try out" camps around the country and then selects it's travel team . The team plays a series of exhibition show case games against top teams in Europe in an effort to get the US players exposure leading to professional contracts.
Historically these players have come from large programs like Duke, NC State, U Conn, Wake Forest to mid majors like Appalachian Sate , Davidson,Xavier, Temple, St. Joe's and Cleveland State. Smaller schools like Barton, Winston-Salem State and Limestone college. This year, Coach Kilmartin was accompanied by his oldest son (still a senior at Charlotte Catholic High School), Ryan Kilmartin for the first 5 days of the European Tour.
Training camp was held in Pineville at the Belle Johnston Center and local restaurants Showmars and City Tavern fed the team.
This year, the team played an incredible total of 17 matches in 20 days covering nearly 20,000 miles. Playing in a different city nearly every night, the group had the opportunity to play several televised games in front of packed gyms, playing in locations like London, Glasgow, Helsinki and more. One event lead them to play in Plymouth England and visited the famous Mayflower steps (where the ship of the same name set off for the New World.) In an unfortunate coincidence, the team played in Kauhajoki, Finland just a few days before the recent tragedy.
Although an exhaustive schedule, the tour allowed for great exposure for the players who hailed from schools as varied as Appalachian State University, Hawaii Pacific, St. Bonaventure , Flager College, University of New Orleans, St. Augustine's, Limestone College, Barton College and Cleveland State University.
Coach Kilmartin has been doing this for over ten years and has helped placed players all over the world with professional contracts. Over the years, USA Select has played top teams in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungry, Finland, Ireland and others.
This years group landed an abundance tryouts and offers for players.
Scotland U16 are crowned European champions in Division C
by Eurobasket News - Jul 2, 2008
Scotland U16 - Wales U16 102:39 Scottish U16 Team improved on the 2006 European championship result this year. They thumped Welsh U16 side to claim the Gold medals of the 2008 edition of the event. Wales could not put up a worthy fight in the Final yesterday. Scottish players were dominant right from the start and never loosened the grip throughout the action. Alasdair Fraser came up with yet another extra class performance leading Scotland to a stunning victory.
Scotland U16 - Wales U16 102:39
Scottish U16 Team improved on the 2006 European championship result this year. They thumped Welsh U16 side to claim the Gold medals of the 2008 edition of the event. Wales could not put up a worthy fight in the Final yesterday. Scottish players were dominant right from the start and never loosened the grip throughout the action. Alasdair Fraser came up with yet another extra class performance leading Scotland to a stunning victory. He tallied 38 points and 9 boards to almost outscore Wales singlehandedly. His four points early in the game put Scottish side 6:0 up. Alasdair Fraser dropped 16 points in the first frame and Scotland enjoyed a 33:9 lead. Scottish side opened the second period on a 12:0 run to pile up a 32-point cushion. Finally Wales managed to answer with some decent stuff as Daniel Pulman and Adams dropped back-to-back trebles. But it was just a brief display of skills from Wales as they trailed by 38 points at the interval. The teams traded baskets in the third period with Scotland still mounting their advantage. The scoreboard read 77:30 at the end of the third stanza and Wales were done for the day. Scottish team breezed to an overall victory at the end finalizing an overwhelming success for Scottish U16 side. Lee Reilly provided 17 points for Scotland. Jonathan Bunyan had 12 points and 8 assists for the winners. Daniel Pulman and Alex Kilmartin answered with 8 points apiece for Wales. Jared Adams secured 7 points in defeat.
Scotland U16: Alasdair Fraser 38, Lee Reilly 17, Jonathan Bunyan 12
Wales U16: Alex Kilmartin 8 ,Daniel Pulman 8,
ALEX KILMARTIN LEADS WALES NATIONAL TEAM TO SILVER MEDAL
Charlotte Catholic Basketball player, Alex Kilmartin, was the only American competing in the European 16 Under basketball Championships in Gibraltar. The event was held in Gibraltar (near the tip of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea) and had the national teams from 8 countries competing in their group (Group C). Alex, the son of Sean and Jane Kilmartin (like his brother last year,Ryan Kilmartin) was eligible to play for the national team for Wales (United Kingdom) as his mother is from Wales.
The tryout process required 4 separate trips to London over the previous school year to make the National Team. The Charlotte native helped the 16 U team to its’ highest ever international finish with a Silver medal, falling to Scotland in the Championship game. The event was the FIBA (Federation of International Basketball Associations) certified European Championships. FIBA is the organizing body that controls all organized international basketball including the World Championships and the Olympics. Alex, whose mother was a former Miss Wales and represented the UK in the Miss Universe pageant, had a very big impact in the event. He was second in the entire event in both 3 point shots attempted and 3 point shots made. he was also 7th in field goal percentage. During the final pool play game against Monaco, (to get Wales into the playoffs) Alex had 13 points in the 3rd quarter to propel Wales to a 6 point lead going into the final period.
Against highly respected former Soviet state Moldova , Alex contributed 10 points during a 15-3 run to turn the game in favor of Wales. For the event, the Charlotte Catholic and Charlotte Royal (AAU Club) player ended with nearly 10 points per game and 4 rebounds and lead his team to their highest ever international finish. He was named to the second team all tournament.
Flyers grounded by USA Select all star team
Bristol Academy Flyers 85 -Team USA Select 109
Thursday 13 September was an historic day for Basketball in Bristol. For the first time ever the city boasts a professional basketball team, The Bristol Academy Flyers.
The Flyers took to the court in this there first game of the new 2007/08 season in front of a packed Filton College WISE arena with over 500 spectators in the purpose built College Campus. With pre match entertainment provided by Filton Colleges SWADA dancers and a light and music show entrance of the team, the night was set for an entertaining and enthralling battle.
Prior to the game there was a one minute silence in memory of Matthew Bromley a Flyer who was killed in a car accident two years ago. Matt’s family were special guests at the game and were presented with a gift from Flyers Captain Gareth Till, with Till himself having returned this season after a battle with Cancer.
The first quarter started with flurry of points as the two teams went toe to toe in an exciting encounter, Dunks from Flyers US import Ryan Williams and Filton College star Greg`Streete were matched at the other end of the floor by the 7' 1" Adam Simons and 6" 6" Chucky Frierson who showed great ability leading the USA Select team.
Great contributions were made from the whole Flyers team as they held there own with a very strong US team. Another young Filton College Student Tyrone Treasure made a huge impact on the game with tenacious defence and great athletic ability at the offensive end. The first quarter saw the US team take a slender lead into the interval 26 points to 22.
The second quarter started well for the Flyers with more fantastic play from the man they call Smokey, Ryan Williams. The US import from Oklahoma was showing why his signing has made Bristol a force to be reckoned with in the league this year. The two teams entertained the crowd with tough defence and great fast break basketball. Streete and Treasure in particular caught the crowd’s eye with fantastic skill and composure from such young guys.
Treasure however after an attempted Dunk on a USA player was hit hard in mid air causing him to fall heavily and knock himself unconscious. Streete made the two free throws but sadly Treasure would play no further part in the game and in fact was taken to hospital with concussion for observations.
The half finished with a flurry of points from both teams with Big Tom Hutchinson for the Flyers and The USA’s Adam Simons battling on every possession. Half time saw the teams go into the locker room with the USA select leading 56 points to 50.
The second half saw the Flyers fighting to keep pace with the US team and this was becoming more and more difficult as the team of young talented US players began to hit big shots. Flyers again inspired by Streete and Williams never gave in and made in roads to the Select teams lead.
Polish Star Arich Mokawski made a great first impression on the Bristol crowd and with Till back to top form the team looked to be in great shape.
In the fourth quarter the USA select team demonstrated why these young players will pick up Professional contracts in Europe. A clinical display in finishing baskets gave the Flyers little hope of getting back into the game. Flyers however played some fantastic basketball a blocked shot by Aaron Simpson lead to a great score on the fast break with 5 clinical passes leading to a Matt Anaults lay up.
The game finished with the USA select winning by 24 points but Flyers were certainly looking as if they have some much more to give during this season.
Flyers showed glimpses of what they are capable of and with this there first season in the top flight they have a lot to be proud of and have a great opportunity to do well on the National Stage.
“This has been a great experience for my players, the crowd was fantastic tonight, the Arena is superb and the hospitality has been second to none. The game was a great spectacle with some fantastic basketball I believe this Bristol team will do well this year they have some great players” Sean Kilmartin, Head Coach and Director of USA Select.
“ I think tonight has been a resounding success with a great turn out and some fantastic basketball, we have brought together a great team this year and hopefully all going well we will do well in the league. With support like this it would be hard not to. I am proud of the team today and would like to thank the 500 plus people who turned up to support us. I hope to see them all again during this exciting season” Danny James, Flyers, Director of Basketball.
Game Stats:
Flyers top scores: Ryan Williams 31 points, Greg Streete 22 points.
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Team USA Select Basketball has made it to YouTube!