NBA All-Stars Lead USA Basketball Squad at World Cup in the Far East

The veteran protagonists of the league are missing, but the USA will be offering a squad peppered with NBA All-Stars at the World Cup in the Far East from the end of August.

Leading the US basketball team at the World Cup: Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors. picture alliance / REUTERS

LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are missing from the list, but as always, the US basketball players are among the absolute favorites for the gold medal at the World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines (25 August to 10 September).

Head Coach Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors) has a 12-strong line-up – supported by Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) and Tyronn Lue (Los Angeles Clippers), among others – that includes a number of All-Stars. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) – both recently delighted with XXL contracts during free agency – and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) are among Kerr’s chosen ones. The latter was the best defensive player in the past NBA season and should help ensure that the title contenders from Europe, such as France, Spain and Serbia, who have recently been physically superior, can be better kept in check.

In addition, there is the Rookie of the Year in the NBA with the Wagner teammate Paolo Banchero from the Orlando Magic.

Test against the DBB team

“I’m confident that this group will represent our country well, with dedication, talent and the will to win together,” said Kerr, whose selection in Group C is based on Greece, New Zealand and Greece, who are worried about ex-MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo Jordan meets.

In preparation, the Americans are also testing against the German national team (20 August). The USA have won the World Cup five times so far but finished a disappointing seventh place at the last edition in 2019 as Spain triumphed. The last world title was in 2014.

The US squad at a glance

Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Josh Hart (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers).

2023-07-08 11:26:19
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