Right now, many predict that Team USA, led by multiple NBA superstars, could win the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Although they weren’t able to do it during the last tournament, writers and experts think they could this time.
But it won’t be a huge disappointment if they don’t, according to Charles Barkley.
Speaking with The Ringer, the NBA legend said that if Team USA doesn’t win gold, it’ll actually help other countries.
Barkley said Team USA not winning gold would raise awareness of the game across the globe:
“They act like if we don’t win the gold medal it’s going to be the worst thing to ever happen to civilization. I actually disagree with that. I think it’d be great because I think it’d really help with popularity in one of these little third-world countries if they won the gold medal. Can you imagine if France won the gold medal? How popular would basketball become in France?”
Charles Barkley on Team USA potentially not winning Gold:
"They act like if we don't win the gold medal it's going to be the worst thing to ever happen to civilization. I actually disagree with that. I think it'd be great because I think it'd really help with popularity in one… pic.twitter.com/n5j1Yb1BU8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 26, 2023
Although France definitely isn’t a third-world country, Barkley’s point is valid.
For decades, basketball has been known as a very American sport.
That is mostly because the NBA was founded in the states and is still a North American league in most ways.
But over the years, the game has become an international one, with stars from all over the globe finding fame in the NBA.
Today, several of the biggest names in the league are from other parts of the world.
The World Cup has grown in popularity too and now there are many countries that have legitimately talented stars.
A gold medal win in the Cup would definitely make basketball even more popular for the country that claims it.
There are several nations smaller than America and France with a chance to win in the World Cup.
Will any of them do it?
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