KU sophomore Darrell Arthur has been selected to participate in tryouts for the 2007 USA Under-19 World Championship Team June 28-30 in Dallas, Texas. Finalists will be selected from the group for the Under-19 squad which will participate in the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship, July 12-22 in Novi Sad, Serbia.

“Just to be chosen to tryout for a national team is a great honor,” Arthur said. “I am looking forward to see where I stand among these great players.” As a freshman, Arthur started seven games for KU, averaging 9.8 points per game and had a team-leading 56 blocks for the Jayhawks.

“It will be nice to go home to Dallas (for the tryout),” Arthur added. “I know I will be busy with the tryout but I hope to see some family and friends while I’m there.”

Head coach Bill Self is excited for the sophomore to possibly take his game to the international level.

“I love it when players from our program get selected to try out for a national team,” Self said. “This will be a great experience for Darrell to play against some solid competition and learn some valuable lessons from Head Coach Jerry Wainwright. Hopefully he makes the team and gets the opportunity to represents the country.”

Arthur will return to Lawrence after the tournament to gear up for the Jayhawks’ 2007-08 season, which kicks off with an exhibition game against Pittsburg State on Nov. 1 at Allen Fieldhouse.