Isaac named to Select Team
Magic forward to attend USA Basketball training camp, exhibition game
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac’s offseason just got a little busier.
Isaac has been named to the 13-man USA Basketball Select Team, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Jerry Colangelo announced Thursday.
Isaac and the rest of the select squad will work out daily with the USA National Team during its training camp next month in Las Vegas. The Select Team also will take part in the USA Blue/USA White exhibition game on Aug. 9 at TMobile Arena in Las Vegas.
USA Basketball uses the Select Team to help prepare the National Team for competitions. In this case, that would be the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, which will be played Aug. 31-Sept. 15.
The Select Team also provides USA Basketball National Team exposure to some of the NBA’s younger standout players.
“These 13 players help extend the legacy of elite players who have been part of the USA Basketball Select Teams,” Colangelo said in a news release. “Not only will this group help prepare the United States for the FIBA World Cup, but it will also provide them with valuable experience at the USA Basketball National Team level.”
For his part, Isaac said he’s looking forward to learning from the experience he’ll gain competing against some of the top U.S. players.
“It’s just exciting. It’s exciting to hear your name called about anything,” Isaac said. “I’m excited about being out there and representing the Magic, [and] just helping the big team get ready for what they have to do. I’m excited about being out there. I pretty much
know all the guys that are on the Select Team so it will be fun.
“I think the biggest thing for the Select team, what we’re here for, is to learn from the older guys and to go up against them and get them ready to play. It just continues to excite me, and I’m ready to get out there and have some fun.”
Joining Isaac on the Select Team are Jarrett Allen (Nets), Marvin Bagley III (Kings), Mikal Bridges (Suns), Jalen Brunson (Mavericks), John Collins (Hawks), Pat Connaughton (Bucks), D’Aaron Fox (Kings), Joe Harris (Nets), Mitchell Robinson (Knicks), Landry Shamet (Clippers), Derrick White (Spurs) and Trae Young (Hawks).
The team will be coached by Jeff Van Gundy, a longtime friend and mentor to Magic coach Steve Clifford.
Clifford coached under Jeff Van Gundy in New York and Houston, and, of course, was an assistant to Stan Van Gundy in Orlando.
“I think just playing and being in practice and being around Jeff for five days is going to make a serious player better, and Jonathan is a very committed, serious-minded player,” Clifford said. “I think it’ll be a great experience for him.”
Wearing the USA uniform will not be totally new for Isaac. He was named to the 2015-16 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team and the 2016 USA Junior National Select Team. In 75 regular-season games with the Magic last season, Isaac made 64 starts and averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assist and 1.31 blocks per game.