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It’s Time for the Next Generation of Team USA to Step Up

Zion Williamson and the best U.S.-born up-and-comers need to take the reins of USA Basketball in order to avoid another ugly international defeat



There was one clear lesson from Team USA’s 89-79 loss to France at the FIBA World Cup on Wednesday: They didn’t have enough talent. The future of the program is in flux. There could be plenty of spots available on Team USA for players in the next generation. International basketball has changed since the days of the Redeem Team. The good news is the outline of the next version of Team USA is already coming into focus.

There are four young players who stand out as potential cornerstones, all of whom fit well together:

Trae Young (Age 20)

Young is coming off a brilliant rookie season with the Hawks, where he averaged 19.1 points on 41.8 percent shooting and 8.1 assists per game. He played for the U.S. Select Team this summer and had an outside chance of making the World Cup roster before withdrawing with an eye infection. His combination of unlimited shooting range and elite playmaking makes him a perfect fit for Team USA. The Americans don’t need a big-time scorer at point; they need someone who can create easy shots for teammates in transition and shoot defenses out of zones in the half-court. And while Young will have issues on defense, the Americans should have more than enough long and athletic perimeter players to protect him, from returning players like Mitchell and Tatum to a Select Team player like Jonathan Isaac.

Devin Booker (Age 22)

Zion Williamson (Age 19)

Jaren Jackson Jr. (Age 19)


That may not be the most awe-inspiring list in comparison to the Redeem Team generation, but this foursome’s style of play is a better fit for the international game. The best defensive strategy against the Americans has always been to pack the paint to neutralize their athleticism and turn them into shooters.

Players like Young, Booker, and Jackson grew up watching Steph Curry. Shooting 3s from all over the floor is second nature to them. That shooting ability, in turn, will create massive openings at the rim for players like Williamson. Team USA always brings the best athletes to international competitions. Now we will have the best shooters, too.

oceanlife wrote:Jerry Colangelo needs to be removed from Team USA. He completely failed to put a team together and like any GM or Coach that fails this completely, he should be fired.

This is the same snake that put his incompetent son in charge of the Sixers and pushed Hinkie out. No mercy, fire that bum.