MANILA, Philippines — The 2023 FIBA World Cup tips off Friday, with group stages taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, plus Okinawa, Japan, in addition to the host city of Manila, where the final phase of the tournament takes place at Mall of Asia Arena on Sept. 5. USA Basketball will begin with a Saturday clash against New Zealand at 8:40 am ET on ESPN2.
Prior to touching down in the Philippines, the Americans, spearheaded by head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors, went undefeated during a five-game exhibition stretch across the U.S., Spain and Abhu Dhabi. A 99-91 victory over Germany, considered one of USA’s leading challengers for World Cup gold, capped a critical slate of friendlies that Kerr said was vital for his young roster to adapt to the differences between international play and NBA basketball.
“The physicality we’ve been pretty good with,” swingman Josh Hart, the Knicks’ hustle specialist, told Yahoo Sports. “I think sometimes we forget off a free throw or layup or something, if the ball’s dangling around the rim we can knock it off, because we’re programmed not to.” This World Cup outfit for the Americans is no different. While Jalen Brunson, New York’s star point guard, is once again at the controls of the offense, and Edwards has stepped into his rightful part as a downhill scorer, much of the USA squad has had to adapt to altered responsibilities within Kerr’s rotation. Even as reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Memphis shot blocker Jaren Jackson Jr.
The American player challenged with the biggest modification may be Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero. The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft chose to play for Team USA over Italy, following in the footsteps of his mother, Rhonda Smith-Banchero, who played for Team USA during the 1990s. Now, instead of likely handling the ball for much of the Italian’s offense, Banchero has played mostly as a backup five when Jackson takes a seat.
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