The FIBA World Cup takes place this summer, and Team USA is expected to have playoff stars Austin Reaves and Jalen Brunson on their roster.
The 2022-23 NBA season is nearing its conclusion, as the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat are battling it out in the Finals. Once that ends, then the offseason begins.
While there will be a focus on the NBA Draft and free agency, fans can still watch some of their favorite players participate in games. Of course, we’re talking about the FIBA World Cup, the 32-team tournament which takes place from Aug. 25 until Sept. 10, live from Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In the last tournament back in 2019, Team USA lost in the quarterfinals to France. They are looking to win their sixth FIBA World Cup and their first since 2014. Now, we are getting a clearer picture of what the roster will look like in the months leading into the tournament.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers has committed to play for Team USA.
NBA correspondent Marc Stein reported that New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson is “among the 12 expected roster members” for Team USA.
Austin Reaves, Jalen Brunson to join Team USA in FIBA World Cup
Reaves is coming off of a great season for the Lakers, as he went from an option off the bench to an everyday starter throughout the playoffs. In all 16 of Los Angeles’ playoff games, Reaves averaged 16.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from the three-point line.
It just so happens that Reaves is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, and he’s likely to cash in on a lucrative contract.
Brunson, meanwhile, signed a huge contract with the Knicks last summer. The team had long been looking for a point guard, and Brunson proved to be the right player for the job.
In 68 regular-season games, Brunson averaged 24.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, all the while putting up a field goal percentage of 49.1 and a three-point percentage of 41.6.
Then, in the playoffs, Brunson put up an average of 27.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from the three-point line in 11 games.
Other players that committed to playing for Team USA are Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets, and Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, per The Athletic.