COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 25, 2019) — USA Basketball Men’s National Team Managing Director Jerry
Colangelo
today announced the addition of six players to the USA National Team and
to the roster of players expected to participate in the team’s Aug. 5-9
training camp, and he also confirmed that eight previously announced
team members who were expected to attend the
World Cup training and exhibition games have withdrawn.
Additionally,
USA Basketball announced the 13-member USA Select Team that will train
alongside and against the USA National Team Aug. 5-9.
Athletes
added to the USA National Team roster and confirmed to participate in
the World Cup training camp include NBA standouts Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics),
Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Clippers), Mason Plumlee (Denver Nuggets), Julius
Randle (New York Knicks), Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics) and Thaddeus Young (Chicago Bulls). Each of the six players possess previous USA Basketball experience.
Additional USA National Team members confirmed to participate in the World Cup Training Camp in Las Vegas include: Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings); Andre Drummond (Detroit
Pistons); Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers); Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks); Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors); Khris
Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks); Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz);Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics); P.J. Tucker (Houston Rockets); Myles Turner (Indiana
Pacers); and Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics).
The 2018-20 USA Basketball National Team coaching staff features USA and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. Serving
as USA assistant coaches are Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce and Villanova University
head coach Jay Wright.
No
longer attending the USA training camp are: Bradley Beal (Washington
Wizards); Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers); Eric Gordon (Houston
Rockets); James Harden (Houston Rockets); Tobias
Harris (Philadelphia 76ers); Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers);
Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers); CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers);
and Paul Millsap (Denver Nuggets).
“Since
USA Basketball started the men’s national team program in 2006, we have
understood the necessity of fluidity within the program and the
importance of having a deep national
team roster that features both young and veteran standout NBA players,”
said Colangelo. “The six players we added today are all outstanding
players in their own right, and along with the other players who will
attend the World Cup Team training camp, will
offer Coach Popovich and his staff some remarkable athleticism and
versatility.
“USA
Basketball is looking to select the best team possible for the FIBA
World Cup as we attempt to win a third straight gold medal. We have a
deep roster of men who have played
for USA Basketball and who have experienced playing in FIBA events, so
they understand the competitiveness of FIBA basketball and have respect
for the other national teams. We’re looking forward to exposing the
selected players to FIBA World Cup competition
and the incredible experience of representing their country in one of
the world’s premiere basketball’s competitions.”
USA
Basketball and Colangelo also today announced the 13-man USA Basketball
Select Team that will train daily with the USA National Team from Aug.
5-8 at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center.
All practices are closed to the public.
The
Select Team members also will join with the National Team players and
participate in the USA Blue versus USA White exhibition game that is
scheduled for 7 p.m. (PDT) Aug.
9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For game ticket information visit usab.com/mnttickets.
Featuring
seven players owning prior USA Basketball experience, the Select Team
roster also includes four members of the 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie first
and second teams.
Selected for the 2019 USA Basketball Select Team were: Jarrett Allen (Brooklyn Nets); Marvin Bagley III (Sacramento Kings); Mikal Bridges
(Phoenix Suns); Jalen Brunson (Dallas Mavericks); John Collins (Atlanta Hawks); Pat Connaughton (Milwaukee Bucks); De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings); Joe Harris (Brooklyn
Nets); Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic); Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks); Landry Shamet (Los Angeles Clippers/Wichita State); Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs); and Trae Young (Atlanta
Hawks).
Former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy,
who served as head coach of the 2017-19 USA Basketball’s six World Cup
Qualifying Teams and the gold medalist 2017 USA AmeriCup team,
will serve as head coach of the 2019 USA Basketball Select
Team. Gonzaga head coach Mark Few, who served as head coach of the 2015 USA Pan American Games Team, will serve as a Select Team assistant coach.
“The
purpose of the Select Team is to help prepare our National Team for the
World Cup and to offer an opportunity for some younger NBA standouts to
be involved in the USA Basketball National
Team program,” said Colangelo. “These 13 players help extend the legacy
of elite players who have been part of USA Basketball Select teams. Not
only will this group help prepare the United States for the FIBA World
Cup, but it will also provide them with valuable
experience at the USA Basketball National Team level.”
Allen,
Bagley, Brunson, Fox, Issac, White and Young all possess prior USA
Basketball experience, and the 2019 USA Select Team features six players
(Bagley, Bridges, Robinson, Shamet and
Young) who completed their rookie NBA season in 2018-19, five players
(Allen, Collins, Fox, Issac and White) who wrapped up their second NBA
season, one fourth-year NBA player (Connaughton) and one fifth-year NBA
player (Harris).
Bagley
and Young were named to the 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie first team, Robinson
and Shamet earned All-Rookie second team honors and Bridges received
the highest point total of
rookies to not make the 2018-19 All-Rookie first or second teams. Also,
Collins was named 2017-18 All-Rookie second team.
