USA Basketball announced Thursday that Kansas University freshman Travis Releford was a finalist for the 2008 USA Men’s U18 National Team.

Releford, a guard from Bishop Miege in Roland Park, was one of 14 players that survived three trials at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. this week.

Now that he’s made the first cut, Releford’s focus shifts to making the 12-man roster, which will be finalized by July 8.

The team cut four players on Thursday and the cuts were made by the USA Basketball Men’s Collegiate Committee, chaired by Syracuse University head coach Jim Boeheim.

The 14 finalists will continue training at the Verizon Center twice a day, at 9 a.m. 5 p.m., through July 8.

“I’m thrilled with the effort, with the competitiveness and with the attitude of every one of the guys who were a part of these trials. We’re down to 14 players right now and we still have two players to cut, but it’s incredibly competitive and the talent level is superb; and most importantly and most satisfying is the fact that they are so willing to learn and so willing to get better. We have what we think is superb chemistry on the coaching staff and we are going to work to make sure it filters down to the team,” said USA and Davidson College head coach Bob McKillop.

After the squad is chosen, it will compete at the 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, which will take place July 14-18 in Argentina. The top four finishers automatically qualify for the U19 2009 FIBA World Championship, scheduled for July 2-12 of next year in New Zealand.