Tyrese Maxey named to Nike Hoop Summit; Kahlil Whitney snubbed

The Kentucky Wildcats will once again be represented in the annual Nike Hoop Summit.

On Thursday, the USA announced 12 high school players who will make up their roster, including Kentucky signee Tyrese Maxey. However, Kentucky commit Kahlil Whitney was snubbed from this list:

• Cole Anthony (Oak Hill Academy, Va./New York, N.Y.)
• Vernon Carey Jr. (University School/Southwest Ranches, Fla.)
• De’Vion Harmon (John Guyer H.S./Corinth, Texas)
• Matthew Hurt (John Marshall H.S./Rochester, Minn.)
• Scottie Lewis (Ranney School/Hazlet, N.J.)
• Tyrese Maxey (South Garland H.S./Dallas, Texas)
• Justin Moore (DeMatha Catholic H.S./Accokeek, Md.)
• Wendell Moore Jr. (Cox Mill H.S./Charlotte, N.C.)
• Isaac Okoro (McEachern H.S./Powder Springs, Ga.)
• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (IMG Academy, Fla./Overland Park, Kan.)
• Isaiah Stewart (La Lumiere School, Ind./Rochester, N.Y.)
• James Wiseman (East H.S./Memphis, Tenn.)

You’ll notice there are several big-name players who did not make the list, including Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Bryan Antoine, and of course, Whitney. All of those guys are top-10 recruits in at least one major ranking, including Edwards being in the top four of them all.

Instead, guys ranked outside the top 30 like Okor, Moore and Harmon made the cut.

So, what gives?

According to ESPN, the goal was to include experienced USA Basketball players:

A USA Basketball official told ESPN that the organization tends to prioritize players who have built up equity in its system by attending various training camps over the years and spending summers playing for the national team. Edwards passing on USA Basketball training camp invites in October and June played a role in him not being selected for the Hoop Summit, according to the official. McDaniels, Edwards and Whitney all struggling at the prestigious Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, last month likely didn’t help either.

Maxey has been to several USA Basketball events, so that’s a big reason why he made it.

The good news for Kentucky is Maxey will be there to help recruit Matthew Hurt.

As for the World Team roster, it won’t be announced until around April.