Tag: FIBA

Joni Taylor to be named USA Basketball’s 2023 5-on-5 Junior National Team Coach of the Year

Joni Taylor to be named USA Basketball’s 2023 5-on-5 Junior National Team Coach of the Year

Texas A&M head Women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor had a strong summer campaign as the head coach of the USA basketball U19 team that took home the 2023 FIBA World Cup while in Spain.

Her efforts in leading the young group of women to that gold medal resulted in USA Basketball naming her USA Basketball’s 2023 5-on-5 Junior National Team Coach of the Year. USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley explained why they believe Coach Taylor earned the honor:

“Joni led an inspiring USA Women’s U19 National Team to the gold medal in Madrid by defeating host country Spain in the gold medal game…..The game went down to the wire in front of a raucous crowd but Coach Taylor’s team showed poise to secure the victory. We are grateful for Joni’s commitment to USA Basketball over the years. She is very deserving of this honor.” 

Congratulations to Coach Taylor. We are already seeing the dividends of her hard work, as her team is just a few wins away from matching her season total from a year ago. We are excited to have her in Aggieland and to watch this team grow as the season progresses.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Franz Wagner on wanting to see ex-Celtics center Daniel Theis see playing time in the NBA

Theis’ fellow FIBA champ wants his teammate to see the floor this season.

When former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis won the 2023 FIBA World Cup with the German National Team, Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner was right there with him in Germany’s frontcourt. There was no closer vantage point to be had in the historic victory for the German national basketball program in its history, and Theis was no small part of that achievement.

Averaging 11 points, and 5 rebounds per game for Germany while shooting 59% from the floor overall in World Cup play this summer, the lack of floor time for the Salzgitter native with a developing Indiana Pacers roster after such a showing on the international stage confounded Theis, who let it be known to MassLive following a DNP-CD when the Pacers played Boston early in the season that he wanted to get on the floor and to have a role wherever he might end up.

Now with Theis potentially on the radar of the Los Angeles Clippers to the chagrin of Celtics fans who have been hoping for a buyout, Wagner had some words about his teammate from this summer.

Canada’s FIBA coach raves about professionalism of Dillon Brooks

Jordi Fernandez, Canada’s FIBA coach, on Dillon Brooks: “He is a superb professional. Inside the locker room, he connects with his teammates, everyone respects him.”

In the NBA, the career of veteran forward Dillon Brooks has become known at least in part for antics, such as the feud with LeBron James in last season’s playoffs. But in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Brooks was a standout for third-place Canada, the value of Brooks’ defense and on-court play far exceeded any drawbacks.

For the Houston Rockets, who signed Brooks in July, the hope is that FIBA level of play carries over into the 2023-24 NBA season.

In an interview with Toni Canyameras from Mundo Deportivo, Jordi Fernandez — head coach of Canada’s men’s basketball national team — raved about Brooks’ contributions.

Among his comments (translated by BasketNews.com):

(He’s) excellent. He is nothing more than a normal person who comes in and is very professional. He takes good care of himself (and does) all the work to be 100% ready to play. His work in the gym, the things he does on his own — he is a superb professional.

Inside the locker room, he connects with his teammates, everyone respects him. He is like the rest of the group, he is nothing out of this world. He is one of the best competitors I have ever seen, and on the entire court, not only defensively, where he has superpowers, but he’s shown offensively that he can not only score but also be efficient with the quality of the shots.

“He came with the spirit of working and doing what was necessary for the team and the national team, (he came in) to have a good time and enjoy the experience,” Fernandez said of Brooks.

“In the end, he’s been improving as a player,” Fernandez concluded. “I have only very positive words for him at all levels: offensively, defensively, as a player, worker, teammate. I’ve tried to get to know him and establish a good relationship. This is a very beautiful and coachable group, and when you establish this connection and relationships, there are positive moments.”

Next up for Brooks is training camp with the 2023-24 Rockets, which begins in Houston during the first week of October.

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Are Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and other A-list stars enough to get gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Or are more fundamental shifts needed?

The U.S. National Team team finished without a medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a disappointment to many analysts and fans of the sport.

The increasing competitiveness of international basketball teams has gone a long way toward leveling the playing field and highlighted the need for Team USA to adapt to the different playing style dictated by FIBA rules.

The possibility of assembling a star-studded team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, including All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and league elder statesmen LeBron James and Steph Curry, has been the immediate response from the U.S. Will it be enough?

To talk it over on a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Showtime with Coop” podcast, eponymous host Michael Cooper talked over the state of Team USA in FIBA play with cohost Nick Gelso.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear whether Coop thinks Tatum and a star-studded A-Team of US players will be enough to get the Gold in Paris, as well as a robust discussion on the new load management rules.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Can LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and an NBA A-Team save Team USA?

Will a new infusion of star power be enough to get the US back on top and holding Gold on the podium? Or will Team USA need to start crafting a program better suited to playing and coaching FIBA basketball?

Can LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and the NBA A-team save Team USA from itself?

Team USA’s performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and its struggles against teams with lesser-known players triggered a call from James to Tatum and a number of other elite American NBA players to remedy the situation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Will an infusion of star power be enough to get the U.S. back on top and holding gold on the podium? Or will Team USA need to start crafting a program better suited to playing and coaching FIBA basketball?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “A-List” podcast sat down and worked their way through the Team USA FIBA flub, asking the above questions.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on the future of Team USA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Was the Team USA loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup be good for the NBA?

Was this loss — as bad as it was for the United States — actually a good thing for the wider basketball world and the NBA in particular?

Team USA‘s loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup has had a predictable effect, and its potential impact on the NBA is on people’s minds after the US National Team failed to medal. Was this loss — as bad as it was for the United States — actually a good thing for the wider basketball world and the NBA in particular?

Team USA’s loss in the FIBA World Cup is attributed to sending a less-than-A-list team, resulting in a defeat to the German National Team and then again to the Canadian National Team in the third-place game and a predictable call-to-arms from the league’s best American players.

To talk over what the loss might mean for the league, Team USA, and basketball writ large, the hosts of the eponymous CLNS Media “Bob Ryan, Jeff Goodman, and Gary Tanguay” podcast sans Goodman got together to hash it out on a recent episode.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about the glaring US loss.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Jayson Tatum among players LeBron James is recruiting for Team USA Olympic revenge in 2024

If such a lineup were to actually make it onto the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it would go a long way toward determining whether the issue behing USA’s FIBA foibles is star power.

USA Basketball is enduring justified criticism in the U.S. media after a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The field continues to take steps forward. Meanwhile, the U.S. national team appears out of its depth, the result of fielding questionable rosters and strategies given how FIBA rules differ from the NBA. The current roster lacks prior men’s national teams’ experience and features only three current All-Stars, another factor behind their recent struggles.

In response to that disappointing showing, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James committed to play for the U.S. Olympic team next summer and has reached out to some high-octane peers to help him get USA Basketball back on top per recent reporting from The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Shams Charania.

“James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well,” writes The Athletic.

“Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing,” they add.

Such a lineup actually making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics is a big ask given the ages of James, Curry, Lillard, Green and Durant and Davis’ spotty health. However, such a group would go a long way toward determining whether the issue behind USA’s FIBA foibles in on-Olympic years is star power or the need for Team USA to invest in a full-time coach, greater continuity and a roster structure better focused on the FIBA environment.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Dillon Brooks named Best Defensive Player at 2023 FIBA World Cup

Canada earned its first-ever FIBA World Cup medal in men’s basketball, and the defense of #Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (named Best Defensive Player) was a huge reason.

Forward Dillon Brooks enjoyed a strong run as Canada secured its first FIBA World Cup medal, and he punctuated his effort with an astonishing 39-point outburst on peak efficiency during Sunday’s victorious third-place game versus the United States,

While the scoring breakout was certainly appreciated, Brooks’ contributions in Manila started on the defensive end, as they typically do in the NBA. That’s a big reason the Houston Rockets signed him in the 2023 offseason after a successful stint in Memphis.

With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Brooks was FIBA’s choice for Best Defensive Player of the tournament.

From FIBA’s announcement:

The Best Defensive Player is Dillon Brooks, who was more than glad to accept any defensive responsibilities for Bronze medalists Canada. His physical one-on-one defense against the likes of Luka Doncic and Evan Fournier played a huge role in important victories for The Land of Maple Leaf. Moreover, he was an integral part of one of the best defensive units in the World Cup.

It’s a fitting honor for Brooks, who will report to 2023-24 training camp with the rest of Rockets in early October.

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Reaction: Dillon Brooks gets ‘MVP’ chants as Canada upsets Team USA, earns FIBA World Cup medal

With 39 points on peak efficiency, Dillon Brooks was sensational and even drew MVP chants as Canada upset Team USA to win its first-ever FIBA medal. #Rockets

The stakes of Sunday’s third-place game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup between Canada and the United States were well below the championship final that both NBA-laden rosters had expected.

Yet, for Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, who had a strong World Cup run with his native Canada, it presented an opportunity to defend and attack some very talented opponents.

In a matchup with Team USA stalwarts, including Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges, Brooks was the star of the show. In leading Canada to the 127-118 win (box score) and a third-place finish, Brooks finished with a game-high 39 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. He shot 12-of-18 overall (66.7% FG), 7-of-8 on 3-pointers (87.5%), and 8-of-10 on free throws (80%).

The astonishing performance by Brooks even elicited some “MVP” chants from fans in Manila. It resulted in Canada receiving the bronze medal — its first medal in FIBA World Cup history.

Read on for highlights, interviews, postgame analysis, and immediate reaction from social media. As for Brooks, up next is the start of 2023-24 training camp with the Rockets in early October.

LOOK: Diminutive World Cup sensation Yuki Kawamura in pictures

After a standout season in the B.League, Japanese guard Yuki Kawamura further enhanced his reputation on the international stage during the FIBA World Cup. Standing at just 5-foot-8, he was the tournament’s second shortest player. However, his height didn’t stop him from being one of the brightest stars at the event.

Check some of his pictures at the World Cup below.