Tag: USA Basketball

Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro gave Team USA the biggest scare of the FIBA World Cup thus far

Nikola Vucevic had a MONSTER performance in a tough loss for Montenegro.

Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic nearly led Montenegro to a massive upset over the United States at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Montenegro led Team USA, 39-38, at the end of the first half. But they did not have quite enough left in the tank to secure the victory in what finished as an exciting second-round game between the two national teams.

USA eventually won the game, 85-73, after an especially strong second half from Anthony Edwards.

Vucevic, however, still made a remarkable effort in this solid performance. He finished with 18 points (8-of-19 FG, 1-of-3 3P) and 16 rebounds with 2 blocks and just 1 foul after more than 26 minutes of action.

It was arguably the best match any individual player has had against Team USA at any point during the tournament thus far.

Montenegro (2-2) has a game scheduled against Greece (2-1) at 4:40 AM EST on Sept. 3 as well. Team USA (4-0) will next face off against Lithuania (3-0) at 8:40 AM EST on Sept. 3.

Among those four teams, the two with the top overall record after two rounds will advance to the quarterfinals at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

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Top NBA coach compares Anthony Edwards to Dwyane Wade

USA basketball coach compares former Georgia guard Anthony Edwards to NBA legend Dwyane Wade.

Miami Heat head coach and USA basketball assistant coach Erik Spoelstra thinks highly former Georgia Bulldogs basketball guard Anthony Edwards. In fact, Spoelstra has compared Edwards to NBA legend Dwyane Wade.

Spoelstra, who is one of the most well-respected coaches in basketball, coached Dwyane Wade for several seasons. The duo won a pair of NBA titles together with the Miami Heat.

Tom Crean coached both Anthony Edwards and Dwyane Wade in college. He helped develop both players, which is part of the reason why they are similar.

Erik Spoelstra was asked if a USA player reminded him of Dwyane Wade.

It’s hard not to look at Anthony Edwards and see Dwyane Wade in him.

Dwyade Wade is 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds. Anthony Edwards is 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds. The similarities don’t stop there. Both Wade and Edwards are athletic shooting guards. They are both are capable of being the star player and top scorer on their respective teams.

Edwards is having an outstanding campaign with USA basketball. He scored 37 points against Germany on over 60% shooting in the final exhibition before the FIBA World Cup.

Edwards threw down a monster dunk in the win over Germany.

Team USA begins the FIBA World Cup against New Zealand on Aug. 26 at 8:40 a.m. ET.

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Bobby Portis: ‘I just come in every day and be Bobby Portis’

Milwaukee Bucks fan favorite Bobby Portis is only 28, but he will be the oldest player on Team USA at the 2023 World Cup. Dubbed ‘Crazy Eyes’, the stretch five took a break from shooting on the last day of training camp in Las Vegas to talk to …

Milwaukee Bucks fan favorite Bobby Portis is only 28, but he will be the oldest player on Team USA at the 2023 World Cup. Dubbed ‘Crazy Eyes’, the stretch five took a break from shooting on the last day of training camp in Las Vegas to talk to HoopsHype about his journey through his career, the opportunity to represent the USA, the upcoming season for the Bucks, and more.

Austin Reaves: ‘I really just bet on myself and knew that I just needed an opportunity’

Lakers guard Austin Reaves sat down with HoopsHype after Day 4 in Las Vegas with Team USA in a wide-ranging conversation to talk about everything from his new deal to the current roster construction of the Lakers.

Austin Reaves was a revelation for the Lakers, raising his profile as a third option for the purple and gold during their playoff run this past season. His stellar play in his second NBA season landed him a team-friendly four-year extension worth $56 million and a spot on the USA National Team for the 2023 World Cup.

Reaves chopped it up with HoopsHype after Day 4 of camp in Las Vegas in a wide-ranging conversation to talk about everything from his new deal to the current roster construction of the Lakers.

Chet Holmgren: ‘It was a challenging year, but I feel like I made the most out of it’

In preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Select Team was invited to scrimmage with the National Team to familiarize them with FIBA rules. After beating the National Team in two separate scrimmages on Day 2 and logging abundance of minutes, …

In preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Select Team was invited to scrimmage with the National Team to familiarize them with FIBA rules.

After beating the National Team in two separate scrimmages on Day 2 and logging abundance of minutes, Chet Holmgren sat down with HoopsHype to talk about his experience with the Select Team, the long year of rehab he went through, the upcoming Thunder season, and more.

Rickea Jackson leads Team USA in scoring versus Argentina

Lady Vols’ Rickea Jackson leads Team USA in scoring versus Argentina.

Team USA defeated Argentina, 65-56, Sunday in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.

The contest took place at Domo de la Feria in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson led Team USA in scoring (17) for a second consecutive game.

Jackson recorded five rebounds and one assist, while playing 28 minutes for Team USA. She converted 6-of-16 field goal attempts and 4-of-4 free throw attempts.

Tennessee’s Jewel Spear recorded nine points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal for Team USA versus Argentina. She converted 3-of-7 field goal attempts.

Team USA will next play Brazil Tuesday at 4:40 p.m. EDT.

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years

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Dylan Harper interview: On his relationship with Air Bailey and possibly suiting up for Rutgers basketball

Dylan Harper talks Rutgers basketball, his thoughts on staying home and Air Bailey.

Dylan Harper is on the USA Basketball junior national team, the New Jersey guard making the final cutdown last week. It is another achievement for a player who has the chance, were he to commit to Rutgers basketball, the change the arc of the program.

Ranked as the nation’s top prospect by On3, Harper is a member of the class of 2024. He is a five-star guard for Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).

Speaking last week before the final roster cutdown, Harper spoke with Rutgers Wire following a practice with Team USA. He touched on a number of topics, including updating his recruitment (he will take two official visits this fall) and his thoughts on representing New Jersey throughout this process.

He also talked about recruiting.

One of the players that Harper is the closest with is [autotag]Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey[/autotag]. A five-star forward from Georgia, Bailey committed to Rutgers in January, becoming the highest-ranked verbal in program history.

Bailey did not make the final roster, but Harper says the two spent time together in Colorado.

“We have a great relationship, we talk all the time, we text. He’s always saying if I go there with him, we can do something special,” Harper told Rutgers Wire.

“So I hear that a lot from him.”

The idea of playing at Rutgers and following in his brother, [autotag]Ron Harper Jr.[/autotag]’s path, is intriguing to Harper. The 2024 recruiting class for Rutgers, which features the aforementioned Bailey, is ranked second in the nation.

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“I think if I went there, we’d have a very special, a very hard-working class,” Harper said.

“Everyone, when you’re little, you want to be a hometown hero. So that’s a big factor.”

Because of the connection to the program via his brother, Dylan has been around Rutgers more than anywhere else. Rutgers is clearly recruiting him very hard and has made him a priority recruit for this upcoming class.

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“It’s a great relationship because my brother went there,” Dylan said.

“Every time I am there, it’s always heartwarming.”

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Rutgers basketball recruiting: How does Dylan Harper feel about his USA Basketball experience? ‘I’m out here playing for all Jersey’

Playing for the United States also means representing New Jersey according to Dylan Harper.

Last week, Dylan Harper made the 12-man roster for USA Basketball’s junior national team. The entire experience has been a strong one for Harper, who is the top-ranked recruit in New Jersey in the class of 2024 and is a priority recruit for Rutgers basketball.

Harper is highly sought-after five-star guard from Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) who was recently ranked the top player in the nation by On3. He made it through several series of cutdowns over the past two weeks during a USA Basketball training camp in Colorado

Speaking last week before the final roster cutdown, Harper acknowledged the hard work that went into making it this far with USA Basketball.

“It’s a great feeling just because knowing all the hard work I put into the game, I put into myself…all the distractions I put up with just to hoop,” Harper told Rutgers Wire last week.

“It’s a milestone, but it’s not the end goal. I’m going to put my head down, keep working, that’s really the main goal for me.”

Harper said that he plans on taking all of his official visits with Auburn and Kansas likely to get visits in the fall. He plans on deciding at some point during his senior season.

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There is also the added dimension, Harper admits, of playing for New Jersey. One of the top states in terms of producing Division I talent, New Jersey has been a pipeline to a number of top programs over the years.

Harper, as the top-ranked player in the state and a consensus five-star recruit, acknowledges that there is a certain burden he carries for New Jersey when he steps out on the court.

“It’s a great representation not just for. (me) – I’m not just playing for myself or my family,” Harper said,

“I’m out here playing for all Jersey and everything I stand for.”

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One-on-one with Dylan Harper: Nation’s top player is intrigued by staying at home, playing for Rutgers basketball

Dylan Harper talks Rutgers and playing for USA basketball.

Dylan Harper just made it through the latest round of cuts for the USA Basketball junior national team. The nation’s top recruit, who is being pursued by the likes of Duke, Kansas and Rutgers, has reportedly impressed over the past week at the national team’s training camp in Colorado.

A class of 2024 recruit, Harper is a talented combo guard from Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) and has the potential to be a game-changing recruit for Rutgers, which is already ranked as the second-best recruiting class in the nation.

Rutgers appears to be very much in the mix for Harper, who spoke to Rutgers Wire this week in a phone interview following a practice with USA Basketball. He said that there is certainly an appeal to staying at home and potentially playing for Rutgers.

He is the top player in the nation according to On3 and 247Sports.

“Everyone, when you’re little, you want to be a hometown hero,” Harper told Rutgers Wire. “So that’s a big factor.”

As for checking out other programs, Harper said there is the possibility of making other visits following the summer. He said that the rest of his top five are likely to get visits, notably Auburn and Kansas.

Rumors of a decision this summer don’t seem likely now. A commitment is going to come, he says, “probably during my high school season.”

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A cutdown of his list also isn’t likely.

As for Rutgers, Harper says there is a special bond and connection with the program. It is a connection that likely doesn’t exist among the other candidates in Harper’s top five including Duke and Indiana.

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“It’s a great relationship because my brother went there,” Harper said.

“Every time I am there, it’s always heartwarming.”

Harper spoke following practice at USA Basketball’s junior national team camp this week. After two rounds of cuts, 14 players remain in camp. Harper is in a prime spot to make the roster for the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Hungary later this month.

“It’s a great feeling just because knowing all the hard work I put into the game, I put into myself – all the distractions I put up with just to hoop, Harper said.

“It’s a milestone, but it’s not the end goal. I’m going to put my head down, keep working, that’s really the main goal for me.

“It’s a great representation…I’m not just playing for myself or my family, I’m out here playing for all Jersey and everything I stand for.”

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Two Vols are finalists for USA Basketball U19 National Team

Two Vols are finalists for the USA Basketball U19 National Team.

Tennessee men’s basketball players Tobe Awaka and Freddie Dilione V are finalists for USA Basketball’s U19 men’s national team.

Awaka, a rising sophomore for the Vols, and Dilione, a redshirt freshman, are two of 16 finalists named after four training sessions in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

They are competing to make the team’s 12-man roster that will compete at the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, on June 24-July 2.

Finalists were selected from a field of 35 players by the USA men’s junior national committee.

The 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament field is composed of teams from the United States, Hungary, Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Korea, Madagascar, Slovenia, Turkey, Brazil, China, France, Japan, Lebanon, Serbia and Spain.

PHOTOS: Rick Barnes through the years

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