During the 2019 FIBA World Cup, the international stars will take center stage with the majority of the top American stars sitting out
With the vast majority of the NBA’s top stars dropping out of Team USA in preparation for the FIBA World Cup 2019, the international stars of the league will have the opportunity to shine in the absence of some of the household basketball names.
The likes of James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis won’t be participating in this summer’s FIBA Tournament. Some of the bigger names that will be participating in the tournament are Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), fresh off winning the 2019 NBA MVP award, Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Marc Gasol (Spain), fresh of his first NBA Championship, and Nikola Vucevic (Serbia).
With Team USA being a shell of their usual selves – no offense to the players on the roster, who are still good players in their own right – the gold medal will be any team’s for the taking. Generally, it’s a race for the silver medal, with Team USA’s talent being too bright for other teams to compete.
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Though, that won’t be the case this season. There are plenty of teams out there that have to feel good about themselves.
Serbia, led by Jokic, is one of those teams. Serbia was a silver medal winner in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and also earned the silver medal in the 2016 summer basketball Olympics. They’ve certainly been the second-best team on the international stage over the last few seasons
And Jokic will hope to keep that going heading into this year’s FIBA tournament. In addition to Jokic, Serbia also features Bogdan Bogdanovic, Boban Marjanovic, and Nemanja Bjelica.
France and Spain are also teams that have been in the competition of the likes of USA in trying to medal in both the Olympics and in FIBA competition.
France and Spain are also teams that have been in the competition of the likes of USA in trying to medal in both the Olympics and in FIBA competition.
Here is Team USA’s official roster:
- Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets
- Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
- Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
- Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
- Mason Plumlee, Denver Nuggets
- Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
- Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics
- Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs
The FIBA tournament officially begins with a full slate August 31, with Team USA debuting in the tournament September 1 against the Czech Republic.