Orono, Maine -- Former University of Maine student-athlete Jim Boylen ('87) will serve as head coach of the USA Basketball Men's World Cup Qualifying Team, as announced by the organization this fall.

The team will begin competition in November as it attempts to qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Boylen and Team USA begin competition on Nov. 28 when they take on Cuba in Chihuahua, Mexico at 5:30 p.m. EST.

"I am excited, honored, and thankful to take on the responsibilities of head coach for USA Basketball's World Cup Qualifying Team," Boylen says. "To have this opportunity to represent my country in the November FIBA World Cup Qualifying games is truly humbling."

Boylen, who most recently served as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, was a captain for the Black Bears during the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. As a senior, Boylen earned First Team All-North Atlantic Conference honors after averaging 21 points per game. Following his senior year, Boylen finished as the runner-up for the conference Player of the Year.

Boylen began his coaching career as an assistant at Michigan State, a role he served from 1987-92. In 1992, he joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach, winning two NBA Championships with the organization. Boylen spent 20 years as an NBA assistant, returning to Michigan State for three years before re-joining the NBA, before being named the Associate Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls in 2015. Boylen was elevated to head coach with the Bulls in 2018 and served in the role until 2020. Boylen also captured an NBA title in 2014 as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.

-UMaine-