USA Basketball Names Barbara Nelson, Don Showalter 2010 Co-Developmental Coaches Of The Year

While Barbara Nelson (top) is a first-time honoree, Don Showalter is now a two-time recipient having also earned the USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year Award in 2009. (USA Basketball Photos)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 16, 2010) - In recognition of the USA's outstanding gold-medal performances at the inaugural men's and women's FIBA U17 World Championships in 2010, USA Basketball today announced Barbara Nelson, head coach of the USA U17 women and Wingate University (N.C.), and Don Showalter, head mentor for the USA U17 men and Mid-Prairie High School (Iowa), as the 2010 USA Basketball Co-Developmental Coaches of the Year. 

Nelson and Showalter each led USA teams to undefeated performances in 2010, with Nelson capturing the women's FIBA U17 World Championship title July 16-25 in Toulouse and Rodez, France, and Showalter bringing home gold on the men's side July 2-11 in Hamburg, Germany.

"I am honored to be selected as a Co-Developmental Coach of the Year," Nelson said. "Working with USA Basketball and all of the young athletes was a wonderful experience, and the memories we made were once in a lifetime. This recognition is a tribute to the players and coaches who worked very hard to become a great team. I also want to congratulate coach Showalter and his U17 team for their great accomplishments. USA Basketball had a phenomenal year."

"When I look at the names of previous winners, it's a pretty elite group," Showalter said. "I feel honored and privileged to be recognized alongside Barbara Nelson. To represent USA Basketball and your country in international competition is the highest honor a coach can have, let alone a high school coach, and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity."

USA Basketball's Development Coach of the Year award was established in 1996 to recognize a USA Basketball head coach who, during the year of the award, made significant impact on the success of individual athlete and team performance at the developmental level. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball's annual coach, player and team of the year awards.

"Barb and Don helped build exemplary teams this past summer, and USA Basketball is very proud of its performances in the inaugural FIBA U17 World Championships," saidJim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. "Both coaches inspired their team to play with great skill, commitment and team work, which is obvious from their incredible performances, but they also inspired great sportsmanship."