Organizers of the FIBA Basketball World Cup are facing a huge challenge due to the absence of marquee players in the roster of the United States.
FIBA World Cup Joint Management Committee chief John Lucas admitted that their marketing team has to work doubly hard after the Americans decided to deploy young and untested players to the biggest, most prestigious basketball spectacle in the world that the country will host from 25 August to 10 September.
In a report by American sports website The Athletic over the weekend, a total of 11 players have already confirmed their participation in the World Cup.
Reigning National Basketball Association Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic became the 11th player to commit following the confirmation made by NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson of the Memphis Grizzlies, Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, Austin Reeves of the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers.
Also included are Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.
Interestingly, nobody in the current roster has significant experience at the elite level like the World Cup or the Olympics after NBA stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers and James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers have begged off.
Lucas said it’s going to be very challenging introducing the young Americans to local and international basketball fans.
“These players don’t have international experience,” Lucas, a former San Beda University standout who played for Masagana 99 in the defunct Philippine Basketball League, admitted.
“Majority of the fans still don’t know them so the marketing team will need to make an effort to make it more exciting.”
The Americans are bunched in Group C together with Puerto Rico, Greece and New Zealand. They are assigned to play at the Mall of Asia Arena in the preliminaries.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio also admitted that the absence of NBA superstars will be a challenge.
They, however, remain focused on bringing the best World Cup experience to basketball fans around the world.
“Honestly, it’s not within our control if this is the final lineup of Team USA,” said Panlilio in a Viber message to Daily Tribune, adding that the youthful energy of the young Americans could spark excitement.
“Regardless, I think it’s a young, next generation of NBA players that will be exciting to watch. It would still be very interesting to watch how Coach Steve Kerr and assistant coach Erik Spoelstra will facilitate against the stronger European teams.”
“As for the SBP, we are focusing on how we can deliver the best World Cup experience to all the basketball fans.
