This year’s Team USA may not feature the best NBA players right now, but most of them sure have a strong case for being among them a couple of years from now.
This new younger team has some of the brightest talents in the league, obviously including the reigning No. 1 pick, Paolo Banchero.
Banchero is coming off a remarkable season with the Orlando Magic, and not many players earn a spot on Team USA after just one campaign in the league.
Recently, head coach Steve Kerr told ESPN that he believes the young forward could give the team something that most FIBA rivals struggle against, which is a small-ball five who can push the ball in transition and create for others (via NBACentral).
Steve Kerr plans to play Paolo Banchero at center
“He's gonna play some 5. One of the things we really found in [2021] in the Tokyo Olympics was having a 5 who can push the ball and transition and create plays is very difficult for FIBA teams to handle. So he can play some 4,… pic.twitter.com/vNpraNByaG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 8, 2023
Banchero is one of the best playmakers in his class, and even though he plays at both forward spots, he’s shown that he’s more than capable of leading the break, putting the ball on the floor, and creating for others.
He can also stretch the floor with his ability to knock down threes.
And while he’s obviously undersized to play at center, he’s got an NBA-ready build and is strong and more than capable of holding his own in the restricted area.
Some people have expressed concerns about this current team’s lack of experience, but we’re talking about the rising stars of our game and our league.
So even if they fail to get the job done, this offseason is going to be great for their development, and they all should be much-improved ahead of next season.
NEXT: Kevin Durant Recently Worked Out With Former No. 1 Overall Pick
