June 12, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Erlana Larkins, a rising sophomore on the North Carolina women's basketball team, has been named to the USA Basketball Under 19 World Championship Team, announced on Sunday. The team will compete in the FIBA U19 World Championship Tournament July 15-24 in Tunis, Tunisia.

A 6-2 post player from Riviera Beach, Fla., Larkins was one of 12 players selected for the squad after a group of 15 finalists finished 4-0 and won a gold medal for the U.S. at the International Sports Invitational last week in San Diego. Larkins averaged 9.5 points, tied for third on the team, and shot .714 from the field during the competition. She started three of the four games including the championship, a 73-57 win over Russia in which Larkins hit all four of her shots and finished with nine points.

To be eligible for the Under 19 team, players must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1986. Seven of the players were college freshmen in 2004-05 and the other five were high school seniors who are bound for college this fall. Larkins is one of eight players who will return to the squad after being part of the 2004 U19 World Championship Qualifying Team.

Joining Larkins on the roster announced Sunday are Jolene Anderson (Wisconsin), Nicky Anosike (Tennessee), Erika Arriaran (Norco H.S./Texas), Essence Carson (Rutgers), Marissa Coleman (St. Johns College H.S./Maryland), Crystal Langhorne (Maryland), Courtney Paris (Piedmont H.S./Oklahoma), Abby Waner (ThunderRidge H.S./Duke), Candice Wiggins (Stanford), Christina Wirth (Seton Catholic H.S./Vanderbilt) and Sharnee' Zoll (Virginia).

The squad will be directed by Duke head coach Gail Goestenkors. Felisha Legette-Jack (Hofstra) and Carol Ross (Mississippi) are the assistant coaches.

The U.S. will begin training camp June 28-July 2 in Colorado Springs then continue its work July 3-6 in Washington, D.C. The squad then travels to Hungary for additional training and two exhibition games in Budapest, Hungary, July 7-11 before the competition begins in Tunisia.

Larkins averaged 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Tar Heels as a freshman in 2004-05. She was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team and earned second team All-ACC honors.