Team USA will face its first real test of the 2019 FIBA World Cup in the knockout stage, taking on European powerhouse France on Wednesday. Donovan Mitchell will get to face his Utah Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert, who is the key to the French defense as much as he is for their NBA team.
“He's the anchor of [France's] defense like he's the anchor of our defense,” said Mitchell, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. “He's a hell of a player.”
France will be the first team to really test the United States from top to bottom after an overtime scare from Turkey in the second game of the group stage. Mitchell's teammate Joe Harris knows just how dangerous a team the Americans will face next.
“France has a lot of talent from top to bottom,” said Harris, who got the nod to start against Brazil on Monday. “They probably play closest in similarity to us as any team in the tournament in terms of getting up and down more. They have guys who can make plays individually. They have a lot of guys who play in the league. They have a lot of guys who are capable.”
Gobert already sent warning shots weeks ago, telling Mitchell that if they were to meet in the paint, he must shoot “pass the ball or shoot a really high floater” — or risk getting his shot rejected by the 7-foot-1 big dipper. Mitchell was diplomatic in response, but it's likely that the young gun has something in store for his Jazz teammate once the game tips off.
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