After a load of drop-outs and injuries throughout the recruitment and training process, the 12-man roster for Team USA is finally set, Marc Stein of The New York Post reports.
Team USA was previously down to 13 candidates, but the injury to Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma leaves the squad no choice but to field in the remaining 12 for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, which begins next week.
Kuzma is returning to Los Angeles for treatment and here is your @usabasketball roster for the @FIBAWC:
Harrison Barnes
Jaylen Brown
Joe Harris
Brook Lopez
Khris Middleton
Donovan Mitchell
Mason Plumlee
Marcus Smart
Jayson Tatum
Myles Turner
Kemba Walker
Derrick White— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2019
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and new Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker will likely start in the back court, while Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs, Marcus Smart of the Celtics, and Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets round out the guard rotation.
The forwards include the Boston Celtics' young tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton, and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings.
Brook Lopez of the Bucks, 2014 World Cup gold medalist Mason Plumlee of the Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner will be the three men in the middle for Team USA.
This roster is certainly watered down from its initial offerings. A significant amount of players chose to forego representing the red, white, and blue as they look to focus on the upcoming 2019-20 NBA season.
Kyle Kuzma was held out in Team USA's second showdown against Australia on Friday, which the Americans lost, 98-94, care of a massive fourth quarter from Patty Mills. The monumental win by the Aussies snapped a 78-game losing streak Team Australia had against Team USA.
Kuzma would have likely made the final cut had he not sustained the ankle injury. Unfortunately, this will now rule him out for the tournament.
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