Kansas' Darrell Arthur runs by as teammate Russell Robinson attempts to steal the ball from UCLA's Josh Shipp on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Ca.

Darrell Arthur today begins his quest to make the final roster of USA Basketball’s Under 19 Select Team.

The Kansas University sophomore forward and 17 others will practice today through Saturday in Arthur’s hometown of Dallas. Twelve will be invited to stay on for July 1-7 training camp.

The U-19 Team, which will compete in the July 5-7 Global Games at Southern Methodist University, will represent the U.S. at the 2007 FIBA U-19 World Championships July 12-22 in Novi Sad, Serbia.

“I’m excited about trying to make this team, partly because the trials are back home,” Arthur, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward, said. “I think I can make the team. I know a couple guys from the AAU circuit. There are a lot of good players. It’d definitely be a great experience to go overseas and play.”

Other invitees: Lavoy Allen, Michael Beasley (Kansas State), Patrick Beverley, Matt Bouldin, Dwayne Collins, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Jonny Flynn, Donte Greene, Damian Hollis, DeAndre Jordan, David Lighty, Raymar Morgan, Tajuan Porter, Corey Stokes, Deon Thompson and Brad Wanamaker.

“When I was a senior, I was supposed to go to Italy (with USA Basketball), but I never got the chance to go. I was doing some basketball things with my coach,” Arthur said. “It’d be cool to get to go to Serbia. No matter what it’ll be a great experience.”

¢Looking good: KU coach Bill Self thinks former KU forward Julian Wright will be a lottery pick (top 14) in tonight’s NBA Draft.

“I don’t think his stock has gone down,” Self said. “I don’t think he’s been healthy (ankle sprain). Julian is a quick-twitch athlete. If you remove his quick twitch, his second jump or his explosiveness, his ability to finish above the rim because of injury, he will not look as good.

“If you watch a couple games, you know how athletic this guy is. NBA teams are not going to pick him or not pick him based on one workout. It would be part of the equation, not the whole. I hope he goes as early as six (Milwaukee), maybe he’ll go late in the lottery. The most important thing is get him to a team where he’ll have the opportunity to step up and play. I know he’s very excited about it.”

¢Oden vs. Durant: The Portland TrailBlazers are expected to take Ohio State center Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick tonight, just ahead of Texas forward Kevin Durant, who likely will be picked next by the Seattle SuperSonics.

“He (Durant) is the best player I ever coached against, ever seen in person. He lit us up. We couldn’t guard him, but I’d take Oden,” Self said recently. “You look at all the great NBA franchises. They’ve all had an anchor. If Oden stays healthy 10-12 years, he could anchor a very special deal.”

¢Liggins to Kentucky: DeAndre Liggins, a 6-5 guard from Chicago’s Washington High, has orally committed to Kentucky over Kansas, Memphis and Illinois. Liggins is Rivals.com’s No. 18-ranked player.

¢Kansas City Pro Am: Arthur scored 19 points and Tyrel Reed four in Team Jackson’s 113-100 victory over E-Magine on Wednesday night at Penn Valley Community College. For information on the league check kcproamhoops.com.