Mitchell, Kuzma, Tatum lead US pool
A cast of young NBA stars will carry the United States flag in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
On the recent pullout of James Harden, Anthony Davis and Bradley Beal, USA Basketball announced a 17-man pool led by emerging stars Donovan Mitchell, Kyle Kuzma, Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker and Kyle Lowry.
The US attempts to become the first country to win three consecutive World Cups. This year’s squad will remind many of the team in 2010, in Turkey, that rolled to the title.
With none of the players from the country’s 2008 gold-medal winning team, the USA rolled to the title with then 21-year-olds Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook using the event as a launchpad for greatness.
USA Basketball announced Thursday the composition of the US pool Thursday, led by Mitchell, Tatum and Kuzma, according to FIBA.basketball.
Mitchell, Tatum and Kuzma all took part in the Rising Stars Challenge during 2019 NBA AllStar Weekend in Charlotte, with Kuzma winning the MVP honors.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, along with emerging star Montrezl Harrell of the Los Angeles Clippers, 2014 World Cup winner Mason Plumlee of the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks big man Julius Randle and veteran forward Thaddeus Young of the Chicago Bulls have been added to the USA squad for the training camp that runs from Aug. 5-9 in Las Vegas,.
“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 USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Jerry Colangelo in the
Fiba.basketball report.