Despite being made up of considerably younger National Basketball Association (NBA) players, the United States men’s basketball team remains a formidable contender for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.
According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio, Team USA’s recent tune-up matches against defending champion Spain and Slovenia can attest that they have a strong 12-man roster.
“If you look at the lineup, it’s a pretty formidable team,” Panlilio said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. “If you’ve been watching their recent games, it’s still a pretty tough team.”
Team USA will be parading a youth-laden team led by the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram.
Also on the team are the Brooklyn Nets tandem of Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.
“They might not be your veteran superstars, but these are upcoming, highly-contracted NBA players, high-quality players, and with the coaching of Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra, the USA team is the team to beat,” Panlilio said.
The United States is bracketed with Greece, which will be without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jordan, and New Zealand and will play their group stage games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
