TEAM USA has always been the standard in international basketball, but everyone knows the rest of the world have caught up.
Still, if the most recent Fiba Basketball World Cup edition is an indication, the Americans have seemed to treat it inferiorly to the Olympics, barely bringing their best players to the World Cup.
After all, led by a virtual “Team B” of Donovan Mitchell and a younger Boston Celtics duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Gregg Popovich-coached Americans finished a ghastly seventh in 2019 in China – their lowest-ever finish in the world showpiece.
Two years later, USA came back with a vengeance to rule the Tokyo Olympics with their “Team A” of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Damian Lillard leading the way.
Still, whoever the Americans field in key international competitions will always be capable of winning it all.
After letting NBA journeymen and G League players do the job in the qualifying rounds, the Steve Kerr-led Americans have assembled a 12-man lineup with enough playmaking, shooting, size, and interior defense to at least surpass their lowly finish the last time out.
Check out what the Team USA Starting 5 in 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup could look like:
C – Jaren Jackson Jr.
The 6-foot-11 Memphis Grizzlies stalwart is USA’s primary paint protector.
Jackson is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who averaged three blocks and one steal in 28.4 minutes over 63 starts to anchor the Grizzlies in finishing as the second seed before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the first round of the playoffs.
JJJ, who’s only turning 24 years old days after the World Cup on September 15, showed he can also score, averaging a career-best 18.6 points and 1.6 triples on 50.6-percent shooting from the field.
Relieving him are veteran Milwaukee Bucks stretch big man in Bobby Portis and Utah Jazz youngster Walker Kessler, who averaged 2.3 blocks in his rookie season.
PF – Brandon Ingram
The New Orleans Pelicans star took the next step in his game last season, showing his playmaking ability by averaging career-highs in scoring (24.7) and assists (5.8) and dropping his first two triple-doubles in a one-week span late March.
Turning 26 on September 2 during the second round of the tournament, the 6-foot-8 Ingram is fit to be an international power forward.
Another versatile player in the depth chart is reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic.
SF – Mikal Bridges
The Brooklyn Nets rising star is oozing with confidence after his breakout NBA season.
Bridges took a leap when he was traded by the Suns to the Nets, averaging 26.1 points on 47.5% shooting with 2.5 treys, 4.5 boards, 2.7 assists, one steal, and 0.6 block in 34.2 minutes in 27 starts for Brooklyn.
Turning 27 on August 30 when USA faces Jordan, the 6-foot-6 Bridges is also an elite perimeter defender, being named to the 2021-22 All-Defensive Team.
Bridges’ fellow Nets wingman in Cameron Johnson and scrappy New York Knicks veteran Josh Hart are also in the small forward rotation.
SG – Anthony Edwards
The Minnesota Timberwolves star is the second-youngest player on Team USA after Banchero, but expect him to carry the biggest responsibility on offense.
Turning just 22 on August 5, “Ant-Man” stood tall last season when he normed 24.6 points on 45.9% shooting with 2.7 triples, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 block in 36 minutes over 79 starts for the Timberwolves.
With contract negotiations behind him after recently signing a five-year rookie maximum extension with the T-Wolves that could be worth $260 million, Edwards can focus on leading the country to victory.
Another player who got paid in the offseason is also in the shooting guard rotation in Lakers breakout star Austin Reaves.
PG – Jalen Brunson
Stuck in the shadow of Luka Doncic at Dallas, Brunson has proven he can shine in New York.
Turning 27 on August 31, a day after the first round of competition, Brunson averaged 24 points, 6.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 steal in 35 minutes over 68 starts in his first season with the Knicks.
Displaying leadership and poise that led the Knicks to just two wins away from the Eastern Conference Finals, the lefty 6-foot-1 playmaker is expected to do the same for USA, primarily feeding his teammates and knowing when to take over.
USA has plenty of playmaking with Tyrese Haliburton, who averaged 10.4 assists for the Indiana Pacers, completing the solid roster.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
