Aaron Harrison and Derek Willis make World Cup qualifying team

USA Basketball finalized the roster for the 2018 FIBA World Cup Qualifying team on Tuesday. Among the players selected to represent the good ole USA are two former Kentucky Wildcats: Aaron Harrison and Derek Willis.

In 33 games with the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons affiliate), Derek Willis is averaging 11.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game. In 28 games as a starter, those numbers bump up to 12.9 points and 7 rebounds in 29.5 minutes. After openly complaining about the G-League in Rupp Arena last weekend, Willis must be excited to get some action on a bigger stage.

Aaron Harrison is averaging 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1 assist per game while shooting 38.9% from behind the 3-point line. He has started 15 of his 32 games with the Reno Big Horns (Sacramento Kings affiliate) this season, and was selected to the G-League All-Star game where he scored 13 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Both of these former Wildcats have been working hard toward making an NBA roster, and the international stage is a great way to get some additional attention.

Harrison made brief appearances in both the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, but he has yet to find a stable landing spot in the league.

Willis was impressive in the NBA Summer League last year after going undrafted, but was let go in the last round of cuts by the Pistons before the season began.

Team USA will be in action Friday, February 23rd at 11 p.m. EST against Cuba and the following Monday at 11 p.m. against Puerto Rico. Visit the USA Basketball website for viewing information.