A lot of effort has been put in assembling Team USA, which will be known for its youth and versatility.
Head coach Steve Kerr said this as they get ready to see action in the coming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Kerr said he had consulted with youth coach Sean Miller over the formation of the squad, which is made of 12 young NBA players.
“It’s really a fun experience with Sean in putting this roster together. It’s an exciting mix of young players who we think will really play well together,” said Kerr.
Miller has been advising Kerr, given his experience in serving as the head coach of the USA men’s Under-19 junior national team, which competed at the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.
With Miller calling the shots, USA team ended up with a perfect 7–0 record and a gold medal.
“We put a lot of effort into putting up a versatile team on the floor. Sean in particularly has a history and background on how basketball in the world stage is played,” added Kerr.
Discussions with former head coach Greg Popovich also helped Kerr make up his mind on the final composition of Team USA.
Popovich handled Team USA at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where they finished in seventh place
Paolo Banchero, this season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, was one of the many young players named in the final roster of Team USA.
With the 20-year-old Banchero are Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn), Jalen Brunson (New York), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) the roster with Josh Hart (Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers).
Five team members have Nike Hoop Summit experience, namely 2021 NBA champion Portis (2013), Brunson (2015), Ingram (2015) and Jackson Jr. (2017).
Kessler, who earned NBA All-Rookie honors last season, was picked for the 2020 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team before it was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. He has participated in USA minicamps and training camps.
