Team USA unveils young roster for upcoming FIBA World Cup - ESPN

A change to the international basketball schedule has forced USA Basketball into going with young rosters for the FIBA World Cup and the organization's new leadership has done so, loading Team USA with youth, size and defense in an attempt to win back the title.

Grant Hill, running his first major international event as executive director, unveiled his 12-man team Thursday for the World Cup set to take place in August and September in the Philippines, Okinawa and Indonesia. The Americans last won the title in 2014, finishing seventh at the last event in 2019.

The major challengers in the event — namely France, Spain, Serbia and Australia — have size advantages, and Hill and first-time national team coach Steve Kerr made combating that a priority.

That has reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., 23, of the Grizzlies and defensive ace Walker Kessler, 21, of the Jazz, plus Bucks veteran Bobby Portis, 28, as the centers.

Hill and Kerr secured the commitment of long defensive wings who are effective shooters — Nets teammates Mikal Bridges, 26, and Cameron Johnson, 27 — and bruising perimeter defender Josh Hart, 28, of the Knicks.

It is also imperative in FIBA play that Team USA has big guards, who are a vital weapon with the typical style of play. With that in mind, Team USA has 6-foot-5 Tyrese Haliburton, 23, of the Pacers, 6-foot-5 Austin Reaves, 25, of the Lakers and 6-foot-10 Paolo Banchero, 20, of the Magic as ball handlers.

Jalen Brunson, 26, of the Knicks is just 6-foot-2 but is stout and has excelled in playing FIBA ball, winning MVP of the U-19 World Cup in 2015, and could play a leading role with this team. Haliburton was in the all-tournament team in winning gold at the U-19 World Cup in 2019.