The NBA Finals may be well underway, with Game 2 between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat set to take place on Sunday night in the Mile High City, but the rest of the players in the league have headed into their offseason, with Team USA basketball in recruiting mode.
Team USA is preparing for the FIBA World Cup, which will be held in the Philippines, with some of the league’s best and brightest already committing to play on the team this summer in August’s exhibition games being played in Las Vegas.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, rising stars Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves will join the likes of veteran Bobby Portis on Team USA for the FIBA World Cup.
Sources: Lakers’ Austin Reaves, Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and Bucks’ Bobby Portis are among current commitments to Team USA for FIBA World Cup this summer.
Story at @TheAthletic with @joevardon: https://t.co/pr93pzxFwJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2023
Reaves is perhaps the most surprising addition of the names mentioned in Charania’s piece, as he’s not considered to be an All-Star-caliber talent like some of the players that have committed to playing.
He’s coming off a breakout year in which he played a pivotal role in helping the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals after the team started the season with a record of 2-10.
Along with Reaves, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has committed to the team as well as Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets.
These players are coming off breakout seasons and could become the face of their franchises moving forward.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr takes over for Mike Krzyzewski, who recently retired after a successful stint with Duke University and Team USA basketball.
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