The FIBA Basketball World Cup is almost here. The tournament, which will include 32 nations competing for the Naismith Trophy, will begin with a match-up between Poland and Venezuela in Beijing, China on August 31.
USA Basketball will play its first official contest on September 1 against the Czech Republic. The team is coached by Gregg Popovich. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce, and Villanova coach Jay Wright will serve as assistants on his staff.
Many of the top American NBA players will not participate, as we previously detailed. Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Bradley Beal are among the stars who have decided they will not play.
Team USA needs to trim down their roster to 12 men before heading to China for the tournament. Here’s an up-to-date list of players who are still in the mix for a roster spot:
| Player | Team |
| Harrison Barnes | Kings |
| Jaylen Brown | Celtics |
| Joe Harris | Nets |
| Brook Lopez | Bucks |
| Khris Middleton | Bucks |
| Donovan Mitchell | Jazz |
| Mason Plumlee | Nuggets |
| Marcus Smart | Celtics |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics |
| Myles Turner | Pacers |
| Kemba Walker | Celtics |
| Derrick White | Spurs |
Kyle Lowry, who has yet to be medically cleared to return from a thumb injury, was expected to make the team but he opted to sit out in order to preserve his health.
Thaddeus Young and Bam Adebayo were cut from the team to make room for Derrick White and Marvin Bagley, each of whom had been practicing with the Select Team. Bagley has since dropped out of the competition.
De’Aaron Fox withdrew his name from consideration in order to focus on the upcoming NBA season, while P.J. Tucker was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury.
Kyle Kuzma injured his ankle in an exhibition with Australia and withdrew from the team.
