Another challenge ahead for Adebayo
Center again will have to beat odds to be on roster for World Cup
MIAMI — Bam Adebayo has overcome odds already, including rising to the No. 14 selection in the 2017 NBA draft out of Kentucky and then eventually vaulting ahead of Hassan Whiteside in the Miami Heat starting lineup.
Now, having already become an unexpected selection to attend USA Basketball camp this week in Las Vegas, it again will have to be a case of beating the odds when it comes to making the 12-player roster for next month’s FIBA World Cup in China.
With 15 players last week formally invited to try out for the U.S. national team, and now Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox added as a later addition, it means Adebayo could have to beat out four players.
Following this week’s camp, team finalists will take a short break and reassemble in Los Angeles to train Aug. 13-15 before playing an exhibition against Spain, the world’s No. 2-ranked team, at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Aug. 16. A day later, the official 12-member roster for the World Cup team will be announced.
While numerous NBA stars elected to bypass the USA camp and World Cup, in part because of timing that bumps hard against the late-September start of training camps, it still is quite an accomplishment for the 22-yearold Adebayo to be in this position.
The 6-foot-10 Adebayo finished last season 60th in the NBA in player impact estimate, 69th in both value added and wins added, 78th in player efficiency rating and 210th in net rating.
So where does the third-year center stand in the USA hierarchy as camp opens for the national
team?
Figure on at least two point guards making the final cut.
With the Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry and Boston Celtics’ Kemba Walker the lone point guards on the initial camp roster, both would appear likely selections for the final 12-player roster, provided Lowry is past lingering thumb issues (otherwise Fox, who had been on the Select Team as a practice opponent and since has been promoted, could get the call).
So that’s two roster spots.
Based on the need for scoring, Milwaukee Bucks wing Khris Middleton, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, Celtics wing Jayson Tatum and Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes would seem likely locks.
So that’s for.
Considering the need for forwards with the type of shooting so essential in the international game, that should create spots for Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, Houston six of the spots 12 accounted Rockets forward P.J. Tucker and Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young.
So that takes the count to nine spots.
From there, the two leading men at center at this stage would be the Bucks’ Brook Lopez and Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner.
Under that would be one math, there spot left on Gregg Popovich’s roster, with five finalists: Adebayo, Fox, Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, Celtics guard Marcus Smart and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee.
Or, now, perhaps even Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris, who has gone from the Select Team to the formal tryout mix, according to the Associated Press.
If another big man is the preference, it could bring the choice down to Adebayo or Plumlee.
If the approach is going to be small ball, it could make the choice between Boston teammates Brown, Smart and Harris.
Or it could be as simple as injuries in the interim and reconsideration of the scheduling further thinning the roster or as complex as more candidates from the Select Team being added to the mix.
To Adebayo, there is a shot, ways than one.
“My shooting, I feel like it’s gotten more consistent,” he said, “and I feel like that’s going to help me not only in the season, but going into FIBA.” at in least more