After missing most of the last season, Cade Cunningham came out hungry and feasting for the United States’ select team.
On Friday, the Team USA squad who will fly to the 2023 FIBA World Cup competed with the select team for a pair of 10-minute scrimmages. As it is, the young group went victorious on both occasions under the impressive and promising command of Cunningham.
“I feel great,” he told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I’m happy to be here. Just to be in an environment like this, playing at a high level … the offseason, you could be anywhere playing. So it’s a lot of fun trying to take most of it.”
The top overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft was just limited to 12 games from last season after he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left leg back in November.
Using his versatile frame as a swingman, he sparkled through the competition and was able to give Team USA a needed contest, as he was even advised by national team coach Steve Kerr to imitate Luka Doncic’s play style in preparation for a probable encounter with the Slovenian star at the World Cup.
“Cade looked great,” Kerr said. “The injury is clearly behind him. It’s just great to see him healthy, and he’s a guy who can really control a game from that point guard spot with his size and physicality, and it’s good to see him looking so healthy.”
The select team will remain intact until Sunday at the Las Vegas training camp of Team USA before the nationals fight Puerto Rico on Monday for a friendly tune-up game.
