Team USA will hold its first intrasquad scrimmage on August 9 and the first FIBA World Cup game will be on September 1 against the Czech Republic. Who will don the red, white, and blue for the country remains to be seen, as many players have already bowed out of the competition.
Anthony Davis, James Harden, Bradley Beal, and CJ McCollum are among the stars to withdraw from USA Basketball’s training camp. Damian Lillard, Tobias Harris, Kevin Love, Paul Millsap, and DeMar DeRozan have also decided against attending.
What we do know is that Gregg Popovich will coach Team USA. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce, and Villanova coach Jay Wright will serve as assistants.
Donovan Mitchell, who is arguably the top player remaining on the Team USA training camp roster is committed to playing. Kemba Walker also has declared his intention to suit up for the team and Kyle Lowry plans to give it a go. Here’s a list of players who are attending training camp:
- Bam Adebayo, Heat.
- Harrison Barnes, Kings.
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics.
- De’Aaron Fox, Kings.
- Joe Harris, Nets.
- Kyle Kuzma, Lakers.
- Brook Lopez, Bucks.
- Kyle Lowry, Raptors.
- Khris Middleton, Bucks.
- Donovan Mitchell, Jazz.
- Mason Plumlee, Nuggets
- Marcus Smart, Celtics.
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics.
- P.J. Tucker, Rockets.
- Myles Turner, Pacers.
- Kemba Walker, Celtics.
- Thaddeus Young, Bulls.
Montrezl Harrell was among the late invites to camp, though he turned down the opportunity. J.J. Redick was also invited to attend but like Harrell, he turned it down. Andre Drummond recently turned down the chance to join Team USA at training camp, opening the door for Miami’s Bam Adebayo to secure an invite, as the organization’s website shows.
Julius Randle also dropped out of the competition. DeAaron Fox, who was previously on the Select Team, has been invited to participate with Team USA and the point guard has a good chance to make the team, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.
The FIBA World Cup has traditionally taken place every four years, alternating even-numbered years (2010, 2014) with the Olympics (2012, 2016), though it recently made the change to push it back a year and play a year directly before the Summer Olympic Games.
*This post has been updated.
