Team USA Debut in Vegas

The USA men’s basketball team pick up its first win in the USA Showcase exhibition game in Las Vegas, Nevada, against Puerto Rico, 117-74. Team USA will compete in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.

The USA last won the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2014 when they defeated Serbia. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was named the MVP after the win.

This year’s team USA is a fairly young group with an age median of 24. This team has four All-Stars, one Rookie of the Year, one Most Improved Player, one Defensive Player of the Year, two number-one overall draft picks, and one NBA champion. This team is destined to be good. 

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is the man to lead this team to championship glory. Edwards had 15 points, four assists, and four steals against Puerto Rico.The former number-one draft pick in the 2020 NBA draft has elevated his game since being drafted. In the 2022-23 season, Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. He also received his first All-Star selection this year. Edwards is a three-level scorer. He can shoot three-pointers, mid-range, and finish at the rim. Most of the scoring and offense will run through him.

The second backup scorer to Edwards will be the New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram. Ingram is a mid-range purist shooting about 51% from two-point range. He has shown people he is a star since winning the Most Improved Player award in the 2019-20 season. He averaged 24.7 points per game this season and scored 30+ points in 13 games. The dynamic duo of Edwards and Ingram will give teams trouble throughout the FIBA Basketball World Cup.