durden_tyler wrote:Great to see the American rejects (KAT, sort of, doesn't fit what they want to do in Team USA, but perhaps the first star to choose another flag?) play for another country they are affiliated with. Hope to see more of these over the next few years simply for a higher competitive level of the "other" countries. If you are not sure to be tapped by the American NT (What? Be Top 30 in that nation? A tough ask) it's best to play up that pride factor that you can beat Team USA even if you're just playing for a ragtag team like the Dominican Republic. That's more impressive for me that joining "Super (US) Team" and your brand and play might actually improve more.
That said, which other dual citizens (American - Other Nationality) have still not played for the US senior team and can be pirated?
Recent ones (which the US managed to protect from being poached) are;
Reaves (Germany?)
Banchero (Italy)
In future international competitions, i hope what KAT did will inspire others to be a traitor to the US
Towns situation is different from those other two though. He already played with the national team and the media has constantly been on him about joining the team, whereas Banchero never played with the Italian team, despite showing willingness to do so.
As for Reaves, most Germans are/were unaware of him as a potential option for the team. I think he'll be an excellent FIBA player, but he doesn't necessarily have what the team desperately needs. The Germans have Schroder, Lo and Wagner which is really good for European perimeter player standards, also helps that Euro perimeter play is probably at an "all time" low right now.
It's crazy how Dirk was surrounded by scrubs and now the team can't even get two NBA role players (kleber and Hartenstein) to join the team due to personal feuds, egos, lack of interest etc.
So many people who attain the heights of power in this culture—celebrities, for instance—have to make a show of false humility and modesty, as if they got as far as they did by accident and not by ego or ambition.
