Royce White Scores 24 in Global Challenge

Royce White, a 6-foot-8 forward from Minneapolis DeLaSalle, and Rodney Williams Jr., a 6-foot-5 forward from Robbinsdale Cooper are playing in The Nike Global Challenge in Portland July 29-31. The two are considered the top Minnesotans in the Class of 2009 and are thought to be "must-gets" for the Minnesota Gophers basketball staff. White scored 24 points in the opener as his team won 101-96.

The Nike Global Challenge will feature 80 of the top basketball players from around the world in an eight-team basketball tournament at the end of July. Five of those teams will be comprised of the top 40 high school players (eight per team) selected from the LeBron James US Skills Academy (July 6-9 in Akron, OH). They will compete against teams from China, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Royce White made 10 of 14 shots from the field, three of five from three-point range and was one of two from the line as he scored 24 points in USA Team Four's 101-96 win over Puerto Rico. He added eight rebounds in his 32 minutes of play.

Rodney Williams was held scoreless as he played just nine minutes. He missed both shots from three-point range and blocked two shots.

USA Team Four faces USA Team Three Tuesday at noon in winner's bracket action.