A fun and memorable experience awaits many of the young 12 NBA players who were picked to play for Team USA in the coming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
This will be a guarantee since a lot of the cagers, like Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks have never been to Manila. And they will understand the love and passion of Filipino fans for the game when they get here.
“I can’t wait for the experience. And I think it’s great to be in this environment that lives and breathes and consumes anything and everything basketball. So, it will be fun,” said Grant Hill, USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director, as he expressed his excitement about bringing the players to the Philippines.
Hill talked about Team USA during a Zoom meeting with media, including Filipino scribes on Friday.
Coach Steve Kerr and the staff did not include seasoned veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, or Stephen Curry in the final roster of Team USA.
Paolo Banchero, this season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, was among the many young players who were named in the final roster of Team USA in the coming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The 20-year-old Banchero, who is with the Orlando Magic, is among the 12 players who were called up to see action in the Manila side of the competitions.
“All of these (experiences) will be off the charts for the players,” said Hill in describing what the players will feel in their interaction with basketball-loving Pinoys.
With Banchero are Bridges, Brunson, Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), along with Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) the roster with Josh Hart (Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers).
Banchero previously attended USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamps in 2019.
Among the young generation of talented cagers who are expected to shine are Haliburton and Edwards.
Halliburton made the all-tournament team after winning gold at the 2019 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, and he recently suited up for the 2021 USA Select Team which trained alongside the 2021 USA Men’s National Team prior to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
There’s also Edwards, a 2023 NBA All-Star, who attended the 2017 junior minicamps before also playing on the 2021 USA Select Team.
Hill said Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr will serve as head coach and he will be assisted by Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (L.A. Clippers), and Fil-American coach Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat).
Also, a member of the 2019 USA Select Team, Brunson is a two-time gold medalist and the 2015 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
Brunson was the MVP of the 2015 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup and won gold at the 2014 FIBA U18 Men’s Americas Championship.
Five team members have Nike Hoop Summit experience including 2021 NBA champion Portis (2013), Brunson (2015), Ingram (2015), and Jackson Jr. (2017).
Kessler, who earned NBA All-Rookie honors last season, was picked for the 2020 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). He participated in USA minicamps and training camps.