USA reveals youth-packed roster for the FIBA World Cup

Paris 2024

New team leadership takes a bet on size and youthful energy from players such as Jaren Jackson and Tyrese Haliburton on USA's quest for sixth World Cup title.

3 minBy Olympics.com
Tyrese Haliburton is among the 12 players named for USA's FIBA World Cup squad in 2023

(Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

USA Basketball has announced the 12-man squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia from 25 August to 10 September.

Packed with youth talent and size and with new leaders at the helm, this year's squad is already being hailed as a heavy favourite to win the title. The United States last won the World Cup in 2014 and finished an uncharacteristic seventh at the previous edition in 2019.

The team features several NBA award winners and honorees with nine of the 12 players having previous USA Basketball experience. Only three players - Josh Hart, Cameron Johnson and Austin Reaves - are making their national team debuts.

2023 USA Men’s National Team

Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets)
Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
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)
Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)

Team USA trump cards: Youth and size

France, Spain, Serbia and Australia are among the USA's main rivals at the 2023 World Cup. As all these teams have a size advantage, USA's managing director Grant Hill and head coach Steve Kerr were sure to pack their lineup with strong defence and youthful energy.

This includes recruiting current NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and defence star Walker Kessler as the centres, along with players who have had great success in junior tournaments, such as NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton who won gold in the U19 World Cup in 2019.

Haliburton and a fellow NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards also trained alongside the USA men’s team ahead of their golden run at Tokyo 2020.

“My staff and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to coach such talented, team-oriented players,” head coach Kerr said in a press release. “I’m confident this group will represent our country well, with effort, talent and a commitment to winning together. We look forward to competing for a gold medal in the World Cup later this summer.”

Team USA schedule at the 2023 World Cup

The team's games during the group stage are as follows:

26 August: USA vs. New Zealand in Philippines

28 August: USA vs. Greece in Philippines

30 August: USA vs. Jordan in Philippines

The second round of the group stage and the classification games will be held from 31 August to 3 September, with the final stage starting on 5 September.

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