By Jordan Divens

The U18 USA training camp will begin June 14, 2016, and the 27 invitees are eager to prove themselves worthy of a spot on the final 12-man roster.

Historically, the team has been dominant in FIBA play, with a record of 48-2 in the competition and seven gold medals (1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014). The U18 USA team is the three-time defending FIBA World Champion and will look to continue its success this year in Chile from Tuesday, July 19 to Saturday, July 23.

Starting today, the top 2016/2017 prospects will compete for a chance to play for one of the best coaching staffs in the world with head coach Shaka Smart (Texas) and assistants Kevin Ollie (Connecticut), and Mark Turgeon (Maryland).

Here's who to watch this week in Colorado Springs.

12-man roster breakdown

Big Men:
Expect 3-4 big men to be selected to this year’s U18 USA roster. With a competitive group of big men in this year’s event, some physical play in the paint is sure to ensue as they compete for a limited number of spots in the frontcourt.

Predictions:
It’s likely a maximum of four prospects will be selected to this year’s roster, and it's been predicted that Mohamed Bamba, Brandon McCoy, Mitchell Robinson, and Jarrett Allen will fill those spots. Watch out for well-rounded forward PJ Washington and Duke-bound Javin DeLaurier as wildcards to make the team with a strong week in Colorado Springs.

Wings:
2-3 wings from the elite 2017 group are likely to be selected for the U18 USA roster. Seven players will compete for those spots, led by the class of 2017's 6-foot-9 SF Michael Porter Jr., the FloHoops Regular Season Nike EYBL MVP.

Predictions:
A loaded group of 11 guards will likely fill six roster spots, which leaves just two wings to fill the final spots. If only two wings are selected, look no further than Michael Porter Jr. and Miles Bridges to fill the voids. If three are selected, Kris Wilkes, Brian Bowen, and John Petty will likely compete for the remaining spot. It appears the wing position is wide open heading into competition; the only lock for a roster spot is Michael Porter Jr.

Guards:
Twelve talented guards will travel to the United States U18 training camp to compete for the final five or six spots on the 2016 roster. The group is a solid mixture of elite 2016 and 2017 prospects, and may be the fiercest competition for the final spots.

Predictions:
This group of 5-6 players is the most difficult to predict because it's beaming with talent from top to bottom. The top two assist men from the Elite Youth Basketball League, the Under Armour Association MVP, and two McDonald’s All-Americans will compete for a roster spot among other elite guards. The six guards with the best chances to make the roster appear to be Terrance Ferguson, Markelle Fultz, Cassius Winston, Trae Young, Quade Green, and Lonnie Walker. Chaundee and MJ Walker are also very strong candidates to make the U18 team USA roster, but with a stacked group of guards, don’t be surprised if any of them have a big week and are selected.

Training Camp Invites:
2017 7’ 0” C Mohamed Bamba: Westtown (PA)
2017 7’ 0” C Brandon McCoy: Cathedral Catholic (CA)
2017 6’ 11” C Mitchell Robinson: Chalmette (LA)
2016 6’ 9” PF Javin DeLaurier: St. Anne’s Belfield (VA) (Duke commit)
2016 6’ 9” PF Jarrett Allen: St. Stephen’s Episcopal (TX) (Texas commit)
2017 6’ 10” PF James Banks: La Lumiere (IN) (Texas commit)
2017 6’ 8” PF PJ Washington: Findlay Prep (NV)
2017 6’ 9” SF Michael Porter Jr: Father Tolton (MO)
2017 6’ 7” SF Kris Wilkes: North Central (IN)
2017 6’ 7” SF Miles Bridges: Huntington Prep (WV) (Michigan State commit)
2017 6’ 7” SF Brian Bowen: La Lumiere (IN)
2017 6’ 7” SF DJ Harvey: Dematha Catholic (MD)
2017 6’ 7” SF David Nickelberry: Windermere Prep (FL)
2017 6’ 5” SF John Petty: J.O. Johnson (AL)
2017 6’ 7” SF Jordan Tucker: Archbishop Stepinac (NY)
2016 6’ 7” SG Terrance Ferguson: Advanced Prep International (TX) (Arizona commit)
2017 6’ 4” SG Hamidou Diallo: Putnam Science Academy (CT)
2017 6’ 4” SG Markelle Fultz: Dematha Catholic (MD) (Washington commit)
2017 6’ 5” SG Lonnie Walker: Reading (PA)
2017 6’ 5” SG MJ Walker: Jonesboro (GA)
2017 6’ 4” SG Chaundee Brown: First Academy (FL)
2016 6’ 6” SG Kevin Huerter: Shenendehowa (NY) (Maryland commit)
2016 6’ 1” PG Cassius Winston: University of Detroit Jesuit (MI) (Michigan State commit)
2017 6’ 2” PG Trae Young: Norman North (OK)
2017 6’ 2” PG Matt Coleman: Oak Hill Academy (VA)
2017 6’ 0” PG Quade Green: Neumann Goretti (PA)
2016 6’ 1” PG Shamorie Ponds: Thomas Jefferson (NY) (St. John’s commit)

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Shaka Smart (Texas Head Coach)
Assistant Coach: Kevin Ollie (Connecticut Head Coach)
Assistant Coach: Mark Turgeon (Maryland Head Coach)