Team USA has named Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart and Donovan Mitchell as its captains.
Walker and Mitchell have been starting together in the backcourt for Team USA, while Smart has yet to play after suffering a calf injury in training camp in Las Vegas.
However, Gregg Popovich seems to like the leadership qualities Smart has.
Team USA is taking 12 players to China for the FIBA World Cup. Even though Smart has yet to play, he's going to be heading to China after being named a captain:
Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell, and MARCUS SMART are the Team USA captains. So, don't expect Smart to get cut when Gregg Popovich sends one last guy home.
Team Shamrock lives on. #Celtics https://t.co/goxV1SpMZh
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) August 22, 2019
Popovich and his staff have to cut one player from this group: Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Joe Harris, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner, Kemba Walker and Derrick White.
Team USA defeated Australia on Thursday in its second exhibition game. The Americans have won the FIBA World Cup two straight times. This year's roster lacks superstar power, though, which is why many pundits believe Team USA is vulnerable.
Walker and Mitchell have spoken several times about being motivated to prove all the doubters wrong. The two guards are the best scorers for USA and will need to play at a high level in China once the real games begin.
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