Team USA men’s basketball is back in full swing, with the squad recently practicing in Las Vegas and participating in an exhibition game against Puerto Rico, where the team looked top-notch and ready to take on the best of the best in the FIBA World Cup later this month.
During the matchup with Puerto Rico, head coach Steve Kerr got a peek at what his new-look roster is made of, with rising NBA star Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves looking like the team’s undisputed leader.
Along with proving his worth over the past few years as the new face of the Timberwolves franchise and recently signing a massive contract extension, Edwards is the latest player to wear the No. 10 jersey for Team USA.
No. 10 is an iconic number in international competitions, especially in soccer, as it usually indicates the best player on the team and or the leader of the squad.
Superstar Kyrie Irving wore No. 10 during his time with Team USA, which is also what Kobe Bryant wore on the Redeem Team.
Irving recently reacted to Edwards being the next in line to sport No. 10, via NBACentral.
“It’s not just by coincidence that some of the best of the best have wore No. 10”
– Kyrie Irving on Anthony Edwards
(h/t @kyriecenterig ) pic.twitter.com/bao218vCck
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 11, 2023
Unlike Team USA squads in the past, this one doesn’t have superstar talent like Irving and Bryant, as it is basically made up of promising young players like Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Austin Reaves.
Even though there aren’t any established superstars on Team USA this time around, Kerr’s squad is still considered the favorite to come out on top in the FIBA World Cup, ahead of other talented teams like Canada, Australia, Slovenia, France, and Spain.
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