Team USA has taken a unique approach in their preparation for the upcoming FIBA World Cup by announcing their final 12-man roster without conducting any tryouts.
Head coach Steve Kerr shed light on the reasoning behind this move, emphasizing the lessons learned from the 2019 tournament and the challenges of securing long-term commitments from NBA superstars.
In a recent interview on NBA Today, Kerr explained, “We felt we learned from 2019 when we finished 7th. We had tryouts that year. It was a more difficult process for the players, and we felt like we could simplify things this year naming the 12 guys and then getting right into it in terms of focusing on what we have to do.”
By selecting the roster right away, Team USA aims to allow the players to concentrate on their roles and responsibilities, fostering a strong team dynamic well before the tournament’s commencement. This approach encourages the players to bond, focus on their individual contributions, and work cohesively as a unit, setting the stage for a successful campaign.
Furthermore, Kerr addressed the challenges of securing long-term commitments from NBA superstars, attributing it to the change in the FIBA World Cup’s scheduling. The tournament now takes place the year before the Olympics, making it more demanding for players to participate in consecutive international competitions.
The most notable absentee this year is newly-crowned NBA champion and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. But he is just one of a bunch of players who will miss the tournament.
He elaborated on how the alteration in the tournament’s timing has impacted international teams worldwide, leading to the absence of some notable players. Despite the challenges, Kerr expressed enthusiasm about the young talent comprising Team USA, promising an enthusiastic and exciting team eager to represent their country on the international stage.
“A lot of the big stars they don’t want to play two summers in a row,” he said. “It’s a huge commitment, it’s understandable. So you see that around the world and some of the teams we’re playing against are gong to be missing some great players. So it’s an interesting dynamics that has changed FIBA.”
Drawing inspiration from coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski’s experiences with younger teams, Kerr believes that Team USA’s energy and passion will be paramount in their quest for success.
“We’ve got great young talent, and I couldn’t be more excited about coaching these guys,” Kerr said. “We just got to be ready. We got to go and defend and be ready to really be aggressive at both ends right away because this tournament and these games happen pretty quickly.”
The Americans will start the tournament in Group C alongside Greece, Jordan and New Zealand.
