Jalen Lecque '19 in the Running for USA Basketball Team
Plumlee brothers have previously represented Christ School at national level
Some high school basketball players go viral after a big dunk. Few stay viral.
Video clips of Jalen Lecque '19 defying gravity at the expense of Christ School opponents were constantly a big hit on social media throughout the 2017-18 season, his first for the Greenies. Now the point guard is hoping to create a few more must-watch highlights and represent his country at the same time.
Jalen was one of 32 nationwide players invited to try out for the United States Men's U18 National Team this week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. That group will be whittled down to 12 players who will advance to the FIBA Americas U18 Championship which is June 10-16 in Canada.
There is some precedence for Christ School when it comes to USA Basketball. The Plumlee brothers – Miles '08, Mason '09, and Marshall '11 – all played for national teams in the past.
"Without a doubt, Jalen has solidified himself as one of the top basketball players in the country and he should have a great chance to make the final 12-man roster," Greenies coach Jeff Depelteau said. "Jalen is a freaky athlete and a great finisher at the rim, but what I think will make him such a great candidate for this team is his ability to get guys involved. He knows how to thread the needle and put a teammate in position to make a play. Regardless of the outcome of training camp, I know that Jalen is excited to put on the red, white, and blue. There is no greater honor in sports than to wear 'USA' across your chest."
Jalen, a 6-foot-4 rising senior from Teaneck, N.J., averaged 21.9 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.9 rebounds a game for the Carolinas Athletic Association champion Greenies (23-13) last season. He was voted the CAA Player of the Year by the league's coaches and recognized as an All-American by MaxPreps.
Coach Depelteau, himself, has been to the Olympic Training Center on four different occasions. He was an observer for the 2011 U18 National Team Trial, and then part of the support staff for the 2011 October Developmental National Team Mini-Camp, 2012 U16 National Team Trials, and the 2016 3X3 Men's and Women's National Championship.
"Each time I step foot inside the gates of the Training Center I get chills," Depelteau said.
