Following a 97-78 triumph for Team USA over the Select Team on Friday in Las Vegas, USA Basketball tweaked it roster ahead of its exhibitions before the FIBA World Cup in China, set to begin Aug. 31.
San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White and Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley were added to the squad after standout performances on the Select Team during the scrimmage and preceding week-long training camp. Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo were cut to create room.
The roster currently holds 17 players, including two who are presently out with injuries (Kyle Lowry and Marcus Smart). Team USA will have to peel that down to 12 by Aug. 29.
The team will play exhibitions against Spain, Canada and Australia twice before the World Cup, offering up multiple opportunities for players to prove themselves. There won’t be a rush to solidify the final 12-man roster, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told NBA.com’s John Schuhmann.
“We’re going to be patient with the rest of the squad, because we have plenty of time,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone gets a real shot, and I think the staff is sorting through all that. There’s something we like about every one of the players.”
Senior Team head coach Gregg Popovich outlined some of what he will looks for when finalizing the roster.
“There are going to be some players that are more talented than others, but a lot of jobs have to be filled,” he told Schuhmann. “Overall, we’re looking for people who are committed defensively and are totally unselfish and are willing to move the ball and move themselves at the offensive end.”
Team USA Roster
Guards
De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings, hometown of Katy, TX, age 21)
Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets, hometown of Chelan, WA, age 27)
Kyl Lowry (Toronto Raptors, hometown of Philadelphia, PA, age 33)
Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz, hometown of Elmsford, NY, age 22)
Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics, hometown of Flower Mound, TX, age 25)
Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics, hometown of Bronx, NY, age 29)
Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs, hometown of Parker, CO, age 25)
Forwards
Marvin Bagley (Sacramento Kings, hometown of Tempe, AZ, age 20)
Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings, hometown of Ames, IA, age 27)
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics, hometown of Marietta, GA, age 22)
Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers, hometown of Flint, MI, age 24)
Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks, hometown of Charleston, SC, age 27)
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics, hometown of St. Louis, MO, age 21)
P.J. Tucker (Houston Rockets, hometown of Raleigh, NC, age 34)
Center
Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks, hometown of Fresno, CA, age 31)
Mason Plumlee (Denver Nuggets, hometown of Warsaw, IN, age 29)
Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers, hometown of Bedford, TX, age 23)
