According to Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo, Washington Wizards All-Star Bradley Beal and Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris will not play for USA in the upcoming FIBA World Cup in China.
Bradley Beal & Tobias Harris follow James Harden and Anthony Davis in dropping off Team USA for this year’s World Cup. Damian Lillard & Kevin Love are reportedly “on the fence.” Should the Americans be worried? pic.twitter.com/zUv7d9mlWr
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) July 22, 2019
Each player had his own reasons for skipping the tournament. Harris wants to focus on the upcoming campaign as he was promised a more prominent role in the offense after signing a maximum contract with the Sixers. Beal, on the other hand, has more personal reasons; he and his wife expect their second son in that period.
The two of them are not the only players who withdrew from Team USA. Zion Williamson also opted not to take part as he wants to prepare for the New Orleans Pelicans training camp. Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love still haven’t decided whether they’ll play. Kyle Lowry is hopeful his thumb will heal in time as he has a desire to represent his country in China while Kemba Walker is committed to the team.
New Orleans Pelicans No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson has withdrawn from USA Basketball's Select Team for FIBA World Cup training, Team USA director Jerry Colangelo told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2019
Four players have withdrawn from the team in the past few weeks: Anthony Davis, CJ McCollum, James Harden, and Eric Gordon, so Team USA contacted some possible replacements to join the roster. Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, and D’Angelo Russell got a call, and Colangelo hopes to know which one of them will accept the invitation in the coming days.
“History would indicate this is nothing new, this is part of our process,” said Colangelo. “We’re blessed with a lot of talents and we’re very deep. We’ll take the cards that we are dealt.”
The FIBA World Cup in China runs Sept. 1-15, and Team USA will spend a week in Australia as a part of the preparation for the tournament. The Americans are facing the Czech Republic in their opening game in Shanghai on Sept. 1.
