Team USA is facing depth problems for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in China as eight players have withdrawn from the roster. It seems that Gregg Popovich’s side will not be as strong as expected, but the two-time defending World Cup champions are still the biggest favorites to make it three in a row.
At the moment, there are 17 names on the roster, and they will fight for 12 places on the team that will travel to China in late August. Plenty of stars decided to withdraw from the national team this summer in order to prepare for next season. Blazers’ Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Rockets’ James Harden and Eric Gordon, Wizards’ Bradley Beal, Lakers’ Anthony Davis, 76ers’ Tobias Harris, Nuggets’ Paul Millsap, and Cavaliers’ Kevin Love have all opted not to take part in the World Cup.
On the other hand, six new players were added to the roster and will join the team for training camp in Las Vegas. The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell, Nuggets’ Mason Plumlee, Knicks’ Julius Randle, and Bulls’ Thaddeus Young are the new names. They will join 11 players who confirmed their participation, but only five of these 17 players have been NBA All-Stars — Kyle Lowry, Kemba Walker, Andre Drummond, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez.
Six Players Added to USA Basketball Men’s National Team World Cup Training Camp Roster
https://t.co/ZA3FlveXYU— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) July 25, 2019
“Since USA Basketball started the men’s national team program in 2006, we have understood the necessity of fluidity within the program and the importance of having a deep national team roster that features both young and veteran standout NBA players,” said Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of USA Basketball national team.
In addition to this update, Team USA also provided a list of 13 players who will represent the select team that will serve as a sparring partner to 17 players mentioned above. The Hawks’ Trae Young and John Collins, Nets’ Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris, Kings’ Marvin Bagley III and De’Aaron Fox, Suns’ Mikal Bridges, Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson, Bucks’ Pat Connaughton, Magic’s Jonathan Isaac, Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson, Clippers’ Landry Shamet, and Spurs’ Derrick White, have all been invited to join the training camp.
4 #GLeagueAlums on @USABasketball World Cup Training Roster
▪️ Montrezl Harrell
▪️ Marcus Smart
▪️ Khris Middleton
▪️ PJ Tucker2 #GLeagueAlums on @USABasketball World Cup Select Team
▪️ Derrick White
▪️ Jonathan Isaac https://t.co/HeiKpRh8MN— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 25, 2019
The exhibition game between two sides is set for Aug. 9 in Las Vegas. Training camp will then move to El Segundo, California while the World Cup in China starts Aug. 31.
