By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Team USA has selected 12 players for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, opting not to include major NBA stars but instead relying on a young and talented core of players eager to prove themselves wearing the national team colors.
Among them is Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges, renowned as one of the best defenders in the league. The former Phoenix Suns player, who joined Brooklyn in a trade for Kevin Durant last February, received the news of being part of Team USA with great joy.
“Steve Kerr brought up the idea to me, and I was like, hell yeah, I’m here, just please let me know. I kind of had the idea there, and then I ended up going to Brooklyn and playing really well. After that, when I saw him again and we talked about it, I was really ready for it. So, no, definitely, there was nothing holding me back from that, unless I had some injury or something happen, but no, I was ready. I’m very excited,” Bridges said talking to Paul George during the new episode of Podcast P.
Bridges is eager to share the court with former first pick Anthony Edwards and Brandon Ingram, considering them tough and skilled players who will be a challenge to guard.
“Obviously, like some guys not even struggle, they make it tough for me to guard them because how tough they are. So I think them two guys are probably the biggest ones. I know how competitive they are and I know the motor on both of them. I know how freaking skilled they are. So kind of be around them, even learn from them as well. So, and just, you know, make some friends and you know geek about stuff and be ready to go.”
The 12 selected players alongside Bridges include Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr, Cameron Johnson, Walker Kessler, Bobby Portis, and Austin Reaves, all at Coach Steve Kerr’s disposal.
During the preparation for the World Cup, Team USA will also face a Select Team consisting of other talented NBA players such as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Chet Holmgren, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Keegan Murray, Payton Pritchard, Naz Reid, Quentin Grimes, and Jalen Williams.
In the World Cup, Team USA is placed in Group C, alongside Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand.