Murphy Heads to Orlando for Adidas Nations
Alex Murphy will travel to Orlando, Florida this weekend for the initial workout of the Adidas Nations Program.
Adidas Nations began in 2007 and was designed to bring together the top young basketball players, 18 and under, in the world. Eight regional teams are selected from Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, China, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Teams partake in regional training and educational activities that aim to provide insight on what it takes to make it to the next level in their basketball careers. The program culminates with all eight teams coming together to train and ultimately compete in an international exhibition in August. Coaches for the program consist of current and former NBA players and coaches.
Last summer the United States 2010 team took the Adidas Nations championship with a win over Team Canada in the final with Harrison Barnes, Tristan Thompson, and Harrison Barnes headlining a long list of top players in action.
This weekend’s training session in Orlando is the first such workout for perspective American participants for the 2010 Adidas Nations program.
“I haven’t had any experience with it personally but [older brother] Erik [Murphy] was involved in Adidas Nations in the summer after his junior year,” Murphy said, noting that his brother played with big names like Lance Stephenson and Dexter Strickland.
“I think this weekend down in Orlando is a training camp to bring all the guys together who are trying out for the roster. It’s an honor to be selected as one of the kids to go down there and try out for the team,” he said. “Obviously it’s my goal to make the team. You might not be wearing USA across your chest but you’re playing for your country so it’s pretty cool.”
Alex Murphy
Tristan Thompson