USA Basketball has announced its roster for a pair of upcoming qualifying games for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The squad, which will be coached by former Bulls head coach Jim Boylen, is comprised of G-Leaguers, nearly all of whom have prior NBA experience. Here’s the list:
- Jordan Bell, C (Santa Cruz Warriors)
- Brian Bowen II, F (Iowa Wolves)
- Josh Gray, G (Long Island Nets)
- Shaquille Harrison, G (Delaware Blue Coats)
- DaQuan Jeffries, G/F (College Park Skyhawks)
- B.J. Johnson, F (Lakeland Magic)
- Orlando Johnson, G (free agent)
- Luke Kornet, C (Maine Celtics)
- Frank Mason, G (South Bay Lakers)
- Chasson Randle, G (free agent)
- Zavier Simpson, G (Oklahoma City Blue)
- Emanuel Terry, F (Stockton Kings)
Of the 12 players on the roster, 11 have appeared in at least one NBA regular season game, led by Harrison (173 career games) and Bell (160 games). Simpson is the only player without any NBA experience under his belt.
The 2023 World Cup will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia two years from now, while the first qualifying matches will take place later this month. The U.S. team will face Cuba on November 28 and Mexico on November 29. After November’s games, the next round of qualifiers will take place in February.
Although NBA players make up Team USA’s roster in the World Cup itself, the qualifiers take place during the NBA season, so USA Basketball generally opts to build a roster made up of G League veterans. A group led by Jeff Van Gundy put up a 10-2 record in qualifying games for the 2019 World Cup from 2017-19. Mason and Randle participated in a handful of those contests.
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