FIBA’s number one ranked side looks to have solved a problem that most nations seem to have when the qualifying window for the World Cup opens in November.

The United States of America have reportedly hired Jeff Van Gundy as their head coach during the qualifiers when the team made up of players from the NBA G-League take on Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Van Gundy will temporarily replace current USA head coach Gregg Popovich, who will not be able to perform his duties with the Americans during the World Cup qualifiers due to his NBA commitments with the San Antonio Spurs.

Van Gundy has no international coaching to his name but USA Basketball is counting on his high basketball experience to make the necessary adjustments once Popovich takes over for the 2019 World Cup, should the USA advance from their FIBA Americas group.

Gregg Popovich will coach the USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup if the reigning world champions qualify.

His assistant coaching staff will include longtime international and minor-league coach, Mo McHone, sources told The Vertical, a Yahoo-based website.

Van Gundy last coached in 2007 when he resigned from his post at the Houston Rockets. He has an 11-year NBA head coaching career and is currently a TV analyst for ESPN.

Source: The Vertical