USA Juniors prove world-beaters behind DeRozan and Holiday

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

USC-bound DeMar DeRozan, pictured, of Compton scored 17 points and UCLA-bound Drew Gordon of San Jose Mitty had 15 to lead the USA junior national select team to a 98-78 victory over the world select team Saturday in the annual Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore.

North Hollywood Campbell Hall’s Jrue Holiday, The Times’ player of the year who is also headed to UCLA, added 13 points and five assists for the USA team.

The international team, which featured players from 11 countries, was led by 7-foot-1 Alexis Ajinca of France. He had 13 points and nine rebounds.

The annual game matches the top high school players from the United States against players 19 years and younger from other nations. The world team also included 7-foot-4 Boban Marjanovic of Serbia.

The USA led, 43-42, with nine minutes left in the third quarter when Holiday led an 11-0 run with a three-pointer and a dunk.

-- Editor Bob & AP

-- Image from Don Ryan/AP