Team USA will play a pair of qualifying games for the 2023 World Cup this month, squaring off against Uruguay on August 25 in Las Vegas and then facing Colombia on August 29 in Barranquilla, Colombia.
USA Basketball issued a press release today announcing its 12-man roster for those qualifying games. The following players will be representing the U.S. on a club led by head coach Jim Boylen:
- Malik Ellison, G
- Michael Frazier, G
- Langston Galloway, G
- John Jenkins, G
- Mac McClung, G
- David Stockton, G
- McKinley Wright IV, G
- Tyler Cavanaugh, F
- DaQuan Jeffries, F
- Robert Woodard, F
- Eric Mika, F/C
- Dewan Hernandez, C
McClung is the only member of the 12-man group who is currently under contract with an NBA team, having signed a training camp contract with the Warriors last month. However, everyone on the roster except for Ellison has appeared in at least one NBA regular season game.
Galloway and Jenkins are the most experienced NBA veterans on the roster. Galloway has 452 regular season games for seven teams under his belt, while Jenkins has made 171 appearances for five clubs.
Team USA has a 5-1 record through the first three qualifying windows, putting the squad in a tie for first place with Brazil atop Group F. After this month’s games, the remaining two qualifying windows are scheduled for November and February — teams will end up playing a total of 12 qualifying contests apiece.
The 2023 World Cup will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10 next year. Assuming its team qualifies – which looks like a pretty safe bet – USA Basketball is expected to send a roster of more accomplished NBA veterans to the event.
De’Aaron Fox, Darius Garland, Tyrese Haliburton, Alex Caruso, Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Scottie Barnes, Draymond Green, Evan Mobley, Chet Holmgren, Myles Turner – my Team USA World Cup 12man 1yr out. I’m assuming Trae, Ja go deep into the playoffs & vets like Paul, Steph, Kyrie decide not to play. Herro or Jalen Green was a tough decision but I think Green is gonna have a huge 2nd season in Houston. Ofc if Spida or Beal choose to play they’d take that spot anyway. AC is an affirmative action choice but his presence would be big on the court too. He’d fill the role that Jrue Holiday & Marcus Smart filled on the 2previous senior men’s teams… definitely leaning on youth but Draymond would be there & hey they can’t do any worse than they did in the last World Cup
If France trots out a Embiid, Gobert, Wembanyama, Dieng frontline the Americans might be in some trouble tho. Even if Bam is convinced to play they’d be undermanned down low. They might have to add RWilliams, MRobinson or JAllen bc Myles def not gonna be enuf
Dream Team XXX
Dream Team XXII would be more accurate
XII