When the 2023 FIBA World Cup tips off in Manila, Philippines, later this year, Team USA is expected to have a roster stocked with NBA stars. And there will probably be no place on that roster for the players who actually got the U.S. to the tournament.
Eagerly anticipating the return of the NBA after the All-Star break, most basketball fans didn’t even realize that the national team was playing an important World Cup qualifiers game against Uruguay earlier this week. Despite the lack of attention and proven names, Team USA managed to get the job done and secure an 88-77 win.
The win improved Team USA qualifying record to 9-2, which granted them an automatic qualification for the World Cup tournament. They became the second Americas team to get in after Canada.
During the qualifiers, Team USA was led by former Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen. With no NBA stars at his disposal, Boylen put together a roster of former NBA veterans and G League players. Ex-Detroit Pistons guard Langston Galloway emerged as the leader for the team during this stretch, averaging 15.6 points and 2.9 assists per game.
At the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Boylen will be replaced by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr in pursuit of a record sixth title. There are no indications about which players may commit to playing for Kerr in the summer, although it will certainly be a lot stronger roster than the one that took the court against Uruguay.
