Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes is fully confident teammate De'Aaron Fox will make the cut of the final 12-man roster for Team USA. Fox was recently promoted from the Select Team to take a place with the senior team, likely due to their thin depth at the point guard position:
“I feel pretty confident he’s going to be there,” Barnes said of Fox’s potential to make the squad, according to James Ham of NBC Sports California. “I think what he brings, his burst offensively and defensively, his ability to guard and pick up point guards and put pressure on them.”
International play is often guard-dominated, making it imperative for new head coach Gregg Popovich to trot out his best guards ahead of the competition. Kemba Walker seems likely penned as the starter as one of the most individually decorated players on the roster, while Kyle Lowry — should he prove to have no setbacks after a thumb injury — could be his immediate backup.
Fox possesses a speed element that makes him an instant plug-and-play, able to share the backcourt alongside another point guard or fill in for minutes or in case of foul trouble:
“They told me to come out here and play the way I play,” Fox said. “Kyle [Lowry] was showing me some of the ropes and telling me never slow down, always play fast, but of course, be poised.”
If Fox can prove to be the same speed demon he is on the NBA hardwood while reducing his turnovers, he will likely etch his place on the 12-man roster.
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