Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:2019 United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|International basketball team}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
The [[United States men's national basketball team]] competed in the [[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup]] and finished in seventh place. After winning the past two World Cups in [[2010 United States men's FIBA World Championship team|2010]] and [[2014 United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team|2014]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Building USA Basketball's Dream Team for the 2020 Olympics|date=July 26, 2018|website=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/07/26/usa-basketball-2020-tokyo-olympics-roster-lebron-james-kevin-durant}}</ref> they were seeking to become the first country to capture three straight gold medals.<ref name=ap_12022018>{{cite news|title=USA qualifies for FIBA World Cup|date=December 2, 2018|website=NBA.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/12/02/usa-qualifies-fiba-world-cup|access-date=November 3, 2018}}</ref> With high-profile players electing not to participate,<ref name=stein_09112019>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=France Upsets U.S. at Basketball World Cup|date=September 11, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/11/sports/basketball/world-cup-usa-loses-france.html|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> Team USA was devoid of A-list players from the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).<ref name=golliver_09032019/> They were also impacted throughout by injuries to players [[Jayson Tatum]] and [[Marcus Smart]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Erik|last=Horne|title=FIBA World Cup: USA closes tournament with bounceback against Poland|date=September 14, 2019|work=The Oklahoman|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2019/09/14/fiba-world-cup-usa-closes-tournament-with-bounceback-against-poland/60435176007/|access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=Pelton|title=How good would this Team USA roster be in the NBA?|date=August 27, 2023|work=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/38259329/could-team-usa-roster-win-nba-championship|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 1, 2023|quote=Part of the reason the U.S. struggled in 2019 was losing Tatum -- already a key starter -- to an ankle sprain during a narrow win over Turkey early in the group stages. Then-Boston teammate Marcus Smart also missed the USA's last two losses due to hand soreness, compromising the roster's perimeter depth}}</ref> The Americans lost to [[France men's national basketball team|France]] in the quarterfinals, ending their 58-game winning streak in [[FIBA]] (International Basketball Federation) and [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic]] competition. Normally played every four years, the tournament was moved from its expected 2018 playing to avoid conflicting with  [[FIFA World Cup|soccer's World Cup]] schedule.<ref name=stein_08022019>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=U.S.A. Basketball Asks for Focus to Be on Who Is Here, Not Who Isn't|date=August 2, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/02/sports/basketball/usa-basketball-world-cup.html|access-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref>

After rule changes by FIBA in 2015, the US no longer automatically qualified for the World Cup despite winning the Olympics in [[2016 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2016]]. Changes in timing also resulted in the qualifying rounds overlapping with the NBA's season. Consequently, [[USA Basketball]] decided to deploy squads of players mostly from the [[NBA G League]], the NBA's development league. Coached by [[Jeff Van Gundy]], they qualified the US for the World Cup, where the Americans switched to a team of NBA players coached by [[Gregg Popovich]]. They finished the World Cup as one of the top two countries in the [[FIBA Americas|Americas]], directly qualifying them for the [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo.

==Background==
[[File:Gregg Popovich speaks at the White House 2015-01-12 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gregg Popovich]] ''(pictured)'' replaced [[Mike Krzyzewski]] as the US head coach.]]
In 2015, [[FIBA]] changed the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification|World Cup qualification]] process into a two-round tournament of home-and-away [[Round-robin tournament|round robins]] over 16 months,<ref>{{cite news|last=Long|first=Stephen|title=FIBA World Cup & Olympic qualifying FAQ: Understanding the new format|date=August 22, 2017|website=Sportsnet.ca|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/derozans-reaction-trade-wont-impact-bigger-picture-raptors/}}</ref> which was similar to [[FIFA World Cup]]'s process for [[soccer]].<ref name=zillgitt_11222017>{{cite news|last=Zillgitt|first=Jeff|title=U.S., Jeff Van Gundy set to play first FIBA World Cup qualifying games|date=November 22, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2017/11/22/u-s-jeff-van-gundy-set-play-first-fiba-world-cup-qualifying-games/889859001/}}</ref> Olympic gold no longer resulted in an automatic World Cup bid.<ref name=woj_08252017>{{cite news|last=Wojarnowski|first=Adrian|title=Jeff Van Gundy dusts off whistle, pours himself into Team USA bid|date=August 25, 2017|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20378274/jeff-van-gundy-takes-team-usa-challenge-jvg-style}}</ref> The US was in the [[FIBA Americas|Americas]] group of 16 teams battling for 12 spots in the second round of the qualifying stage and finally for seven World Cup berths.<ref>{{cite news|last=Winderman|first=Ira|title=Heat G League prospect Larry Drew working with U.S. national team|date=November 22, 2017|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-larry-drew-s20171122-story.html}}</ref> To be eligible for the World Cup, the US first had to participate in the [[2017 FIBA AmeriCup]]. The United States had not played in the FIBA Americas tournament since 2007; they had been exempt from qualifying, having won every prior Olympics and world championships.<ref name=ap_08172017>{{cite news|title=US men's basketball enters a new world – without its stars|date=August 17, 2017|agency=Associated Press|work=NBC Sports|via=Yahoo! Sports|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/us-men-basketball-enters-world-115100983.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803104040/https://sports.yahoo.com/us-men-basketball-enters-world-115100983.html|archive-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref>

Players for the qualifying squads were chosen by a [[USA Basketball]] qualification committee.<ref name=johnson_11142017>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Joe|title=Amile Jefferson was a national champion. Can he add a world championship?|date=November 14, 2017|newspaper=The Herald Sun|url=https://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/counties/durham-county/article184575438.html}}</ref> Their teams were made up of players primarily from the [[NBA G League]],<ref name=ap_06292018/> since FIBA had changed the World Cup qualifiers from summer to year-round,<ref name=helin_07052017>{{cite news|last=Helin|first=Kurt|title=It's official: Jeff Van Gundy to coach Team USA in AmeriCup 2017, World Cup qualifying|date=July 5, 2017|website=NBCSports.com|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/07/05/its-official-jeff-van-gundy-to-coach-team-usa-in-americup-2017-world-cup-qualifying/}}</ref><ref name=windhorst_07262018>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Answering common questions leading into the Team USA minicamp|date=July 26, 2018|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24184020/team-usa-2018-minicamp-faq-nba}}</ref> most of which conflicted with the seasons of top professional leagues such as the NBA and the [[EuroLeague]].<ref name=stein_11222017>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Basketball Mimics Soccer's World Cup Qualifying (Minus the Stars)|date=November 22, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/sports/basketball/fiba-world-cup.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Loung|first=Steven|title=FIBA World Cup & Olympic qualifying FAQ: Understanding the new format|date=August 22, 2017|website=Sportsnet.ca|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/fiba-world-cup-olympic-qualifying-faq-understanding-new-format/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Barkas|first=Aris|title=The young wolf who was the face of the third FIBA window in Europe|date=July 7, 2018|website=Eurohoops.net|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/voices/708291/the-young-wolf-who-was-the-face-of-the-third-fiba-window-in-europe/}}</ref> Unlike in soccer, there is no culture for leagues to schedule in-season breaks for players to compete for their national team.<ref name=stein_11222017/> The coach for the qualifiers was [[Jeff Van Gundy]], who is a basketball analyst for [[ESPN on ABC|ESPN/ABC]] and a former [[NBA]] head coach who coached in the [[NBA Finals]].<ref name=johnson_11142017/> He made his national team coaching debut in the 2017 Americup.<ref name=ap_08172017/> Van Gundy and his squads were tasked with qualifying the US for the World Cup, when the U.S. would switch to a team of NBA players coached by [[Gregg Popovich]].<ref name=ap_06292018/> The five-time NBA champion Popovich of the [[San Antonio Spurs]] took over the national team from [[Mike Krzyzewski]], who won three Olympic gold medals and two World Cups for the US.<ref name=anderson_04062018/>

==Qualification==
{{further|2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas)}}
Playing games in North and South America, the US qualified for the World Cup after going 10–2. They relied on an assortment G League players and free agents, using a total of 54 different players in the 12 games.<ref>{{cite news |last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=What the FIBA World Cup draw means for Team USA|date=March 16, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=http://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26265299/what-fiba-world-cup-draw-means-team-usa|access-date=March 16, 2017}}</ref>

===First round===
[[File:Jeff Van Gundy (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jeff Van Gundy]] was the US coach during the World Cup qualifiers.]]
In the first round of qualification, games were played in three windows in November 2017 along with February and June 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last=Peck|first=Jared|title=Former Cats make USA Basketball roster for two televised World Cup qualifiers|date=February 22, 2018|newspaper=Lexington Herald Leader|url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/ex-cats/article201542039.html}}</ref> The November team included four players from the US squad that went 5–0 to win the AmeriCup.<ref name=zillgitt_11222017/> Only two players—forward [[Travis Wear]] and guard [[Larry Drew II]]—returned for Team USA in their second qualifying window.<ref>{{cite news|last=Seimas|first=Jim|title=Team USA crushes Cuba in FIBA Americas World Cup qualifier in Santa Cruz|date=February 23, 2018|newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel|url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/sports/20180223/team-usa-crushes-cuba-in-fiba-americas-world-cup-qualifier-in-santa-cruz}}</ref> The final window was also the first that was not during the NBA season.  While some NBA players joined their national teams, the US continued playing with G League players.<ref>{{cite news|title=US picks G League roster for Basketball World Cup qualifiers|date=June 26, 2018|newspaper=Union Bulletin|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.union-bulletin.com/sports/us-picks-g-league-roster-for-basketball-world-cup-qualifiers/article_f86455da-795a-11e8-ac18-270db6145da8.html}}</ref> [[Trey McKinney-Jones]] and [[Marcus Thornton (basketball, born 1993)|Marcus Thornton]] joined the Americans after needing to withdraw in February on account of 10-day contracts they had signed with NBA teams.<ref>{{cite web|title=USA Men's World Cup Qualifying Team Roster Announced|date=June 25, 2018|publisher=USA Basketball|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/06/mwcq-team.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626045039/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/06/mwcq-team.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref> On June 28, 2018, the US lost 78–70 to [[Mexico national basketball team|Mexico]]. It was the Americans first loss under Van Gundy and just the second defeat in 30 games against Mexico.<ref>{{cite news|last=Simelton|first=Joshua|title=Mexico upsets USA Basketball in FIBA World Cup qualifying|date=June 29, 2018|work=Sporting News|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/mexico-upsets-usa-basketball-fiba-world-cup-qualifying-nba-international/1gvfxzndkcwzt1toly24b90591|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730160710/http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/mexico-upsets-usa-basketball-fiba-world-cup-qualifying-nba-international/1gvfxzndkcwzt1toly24b90591|archive-date=July 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also Team USA's first loss at the national-team level since 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. tops Cuba to conclude FIBA World Cup first-round qualifying|date=July 2, 2018|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/23967094/us-tops-cuba-conclude-fiba-basketball-world-cup-first-round-qualifying}}</ref> The Mexico squad had just four players from its November team that lost by 36 points to the US They added players from various professional leagues who were unavailable earlier, including former NBA player [[Gustavo Ayón]], who was coming off a [[EuroLeague]] championship with [[Real Madrid Baloncesto|Real Madrid]].<ref name=ap_06292018>{{cite news|title=Mexico stuns US in World Cup qualifying, 78–70|date=June 29, 2018|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-bc-bko--world-cup-us-mexico-20180629-story.html}}</ref> The Americans advanced after finishing the round 5–1.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|title=All over but the qualifying for USA Basketball|date=July 27, 2018|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/jul/27/all-over-but-the-qualifying-for-usa-basketball/}}</ref>

{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas) – Group C table}}

{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group C USA at PUR|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group C MEX at USA|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group C CUB at USA|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group C PUR at USA|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group C USA at MEX|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group C USA at CUB|df=mdy}}

===Second round===
In the first window of the second round, the US roster had a larger presence of players with NBA experience, though they were still mainly G League players. The June–July window in the first round conflicted with the [[Free agent (NBA)|NBA free agency]] period and [[NBA Summer League]], while its first two windows were during the NBA season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Team USA brings NBA players to camp before next World Cup qualifiers|date=September 3, 2018|website=NBA.com|publisher=Associated Press|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/09/03/team-usa-upgrades-roster-10-nba-players|access-date=November 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. rolls past Uruguay, in strong position to make FIBA World Cup|date=September 15, 2018|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/24680190/us-men-basketball-dominates-uruguay-fiba-basketball-world-cup-qualifying-game|access-date=November 24, 2018}}</ref> For the second window, the United States again relied exclusively on G-Leaguers, using nine current players and three free agents with previous NBA experience. Nine of the 12 players had not played in the eight earlier qualifiers.<ref>{{cite news|title=USA Basketball picks roster for World Cup qualifiers|date=November 20, 2018|website=NBA.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/11/20/usa-basketball-roster-world-cup-qualifiers|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref> The US qualified for the World Cup after rallying with a late 12–0 run against [[Uruguay national basketball team|Uruguay]] to win 78–70.<ref name=ap_12022018/>

{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas) – Group E table}}

{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group E URU at USA|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group E USA at PAN|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group E USA at ARG|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group E USA at URU|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group E PAN at USA|df=mdy}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification Americas Group E ARG at USA|df=mdy}}

==World Cup roster==
[[File:Kemba Walker (31281786340) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Kemba Walker]] was the lone Team USA player who was on the [[All-NBA Team]] in 2019.]]
An initial pool of 35 players was named in April 2018 as candidates for the United States' 12-man roster.<ref name=usab_04062018>{{cite web|title=USA Basketball Announces 35 Player Roster For 2018-20 Men's National Team|date=April 6, 2018|publisher=USA Basketball|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/04/mnt-roster-announcment.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406205345/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/04/mnt-roster-announcment.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref> The list included 11 members from [[2016 United States men's Olympic basketball team|their 2016 Olympic gold-medal team]],{{efn-ua|The other team member, [[Carmelo Anthony]], retired from the national team after winning his third Olympic gold medal in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=James, Durant in 35-player US Olympic basketball team pool|date=April 6, 2018|newspaper=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/04/06/james-durant-in-35-player-us-olympic-basketball-team-pool/33609049/}}</ref>}} and five players who had won nine of the previous 10 [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]]s.{{efn-ua|[[LeBron James]] (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), [[Kevin Durant]] (2014), [[Stephen Curry]] (2015, 2016), [[Russell Westbrook]] (2017), [[James Harden]] (2018)<ref name=usab_04062018/>}}<ref name=anderson_04062018>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Mark|title=USA Basketball announces roster for Las Vegas minicamp|date=April 6, 2018|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Jornal|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/usa-basketball-announces-roster-for-las-vegas-minicamp/}}</ref> The US held its first minicamp in July 2018, which 23 of the 35 players attended. In the past, USA Basketball managing director [[Jerry Colangelo]] had mandated that players attended camps or risk disqualification; however, rules were relaxed in recent years.<ref name=windhorst_07262018/><ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Sekou|title=World Cup in 2019 – not 2020 Olympics or NBA – is the main focus of USA Basketball|date=July 30, 2018|website=NBA.com|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/07/30/usa-basketball-focused-world-cup}}</ref>

In June 2019, a group of 20 players were initially invited to training camp to be held in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] in early August.<ref name=windhorst_06102019>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Harden, Davis headline USA's World Cup roster|date=June 10, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/26941570/harden-davis-headline-usa-world-cup-roster|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> A number of players withdrew leading up to camp, but replacements were named, leaving 15 candidates to vie for 12 spots on the World Cup roster. Only four of the remaining players had been [[NBA All-Stars]]: [[Brook Lopez]], [[Kyle Lowry]], [[Khris Middleton]], and [[Kemba Walker]].<ref name=usab_08032019/><ref>{{cite news |title=Team USA updates Cup roster after withdrawals |date=July 25, 2019|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27256986/team-usa-updates-cup-roster-withdrawals |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press|access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref> Of the 11 Americans who were among the 15 [[All-NBA]] selections in 2018–19, only third-team member Walker remained.<ref name=stein_08022019/><ref>{{cite news|last=Sherman|first=Rodger|title=The Life Cycle of Team USA Basketball|date=July 24, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/7/24/20707390/team-usa-basketball-olympics-world-cup|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name=feldman_07262019>{{cite news|last=Feldman|first=Dan|title=Team USA perilously low on star power|date=July 26, 2019|work=Pro Basketball Talk|url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/07/26/team-usa-perilously-low-on-star-power/|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> Lowry withdrew after his thumb had not recovered from surgery a month earlier to repair a torn tendon he suffered in the [[2019 NBA playoffs]] during the [[Toronto Raptors]]' championship run.<ref>{{cite news|title=Raptors' Kyle Lowry won't play for U.S. at FIBA World Cup|date=August 12, 2019|website=CBC.ca|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/fiba-kyle-lowry-withdraw-thumb-1.5244658|access-date=August 22, 2019}}</ref>

[[Harrison Barnes]] was the only player with Olympic experience (2016) on the final US roster.<ref>{{cite news|last=Busch|first=Sven|title=ONLY ONE OLYMPIAN ON USA ROSTER FOR FIBA WORLD CUP|date=August 24, 2019|work=Olympic Channel|url=https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/news/detail/us-roster-fiba-world-cup-china/|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref> It had become customary for the Americans' World Cup teams to have few former Olympians.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. men's basketball roster named for FIBA World Cup, includes one Olympian|date=August 24, 2019|work=Olympic Talk|url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019/08/24/usa-basketball-roster-fiba-world-cup/|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref> Barnes and [[Mason Plumlee]] ([[2014 United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team|2014 World Cup]]) were the only former senior-level national team players.<ref>{{cite news|last=Samman|first=Shaker|title=So … Who the Hell Is Left on Team USA?|date=August 5, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/8/5/20755033/team-usa-fiba-world-cup-training-camp|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref> While Team USA typically drew fewer star players for the World Cup than the Olympics, the turnout was low even by World Cup standards.<ref name=feldman_07262019/> Only four members from the original 35-player pool were left on the final roster.<ref>{{cite news|last=Devine|first=Dan|title=The Winners and Losers of the 2019 FIBA World Cup|date=September 16, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/9/16/20869234/2019-fiba-world-cup-winners-and-losers|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> A factor cited by Colangelo was FIBA moving the World Cup and the Olympics to back-to-back years, and its conflicts with the NBA schedule.<ref name=lee_08082019>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Michael|title='What are we supposed to do? Lay down for somebody?': Jerry Colangelo believes Team USA still has enough|date=August 8, 2019|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/1124901/2019/08/08/what-are-we-supposed-to-do-lay-down-for-somebody-jerry-colangelo-believes-team-usa-still-has-enough/|access-date=August 28, 2019|url-access=subscription|quote='The format played a role. FIBA going back to this back-to-back, (20)19 and '20, with two NBA seasons in between, is a killer,' he continued.}}</ref> Six NBA teams had preseason games scheduled overseas in [[2019–20 NBA season|2019–20]].{{efn-ua|Toronto and the [[Houston Rockets]] were to play in Japan, the [[Brooklyn Nets]] and the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in China, and the [[Sacramento Kings]] and the [[Indiana Pacers]] in India.<ref name=lee_08082019/>}}

[[File:Khris Middleton (39684853532) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Khris Middleton]] joined Walker as the only team members who were [[NBA All-Star]]s in 2019.]]
The US team was left with only two players, Middleton and Walker, who were All-Stars in the prior season.<ref name=kram_08192019/> Measured either by All-Star or All-NBA selections, the remaining roster ranked among the least accomplished of any US Olympic or World Cup roster made up of NBA players since they were first allowed in [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|1992]].<ref name=feldman_07262019/><ref name=kram_08192019/> Excluded was the [[1998 United States men's FIBA World Championship team|1998 World Championship team]], which did not include NBA players due to the [[1998–99 NBA lockout]];<ref name=feldman_07262019/> they used a mix of non-NBA pro players and [[college basketball|college players]] and finished with the bronze medal.<ref name=kram_08192019/> The 2019 squad's two All-Stars from the prior season tied the low set by the [[2004 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2004 Olympic team]], which infamously did not win gold, for the fewest players coming off an All-Star season leading up to an international competition.<ref name=kram_08192019/> The five career All-Star appearances of Lopez, Middleton, and Walker was the lowest ever, roughly half the total of past World Cup squads.<ref name=kram_08192019>{{cite news|last=Kram|first=Zach|title=Is This the Worst Team USA in Modern History?|date=August 19, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/8/19/20811547/team-usa-worst-ever-2019-fiba-world-cup|access-date=August 22, 2019}}</ref> Their All-NBA total also ranked the lowest.{{efn-ua|Ranking based on scoring system of five points for a first-team All-NBA player, three points for second team and one for third.<ref name=feldman_07262019/> The [[2023 United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team|2023 World Cup team]] did not have any players that had been All-NBA before.<ref name=bontemps_08032023>{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Bontemps|title=How Team USA can draw inspiration from the 2010 World Cup squad's success|date=August 3, 2023|work=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38122122/how-team-usa-draw-inspiration-2010-world-cup-squad-success|access-date=August 7, 2023}}</ref>}}

Walker, who had recently signed with the [[Boston Celtics]] as a free agent, was joined on the US team by Celtics teammates [[Jaylen Brown]], [[Jayson Tatum]], and [[Marcus Smart]]. It was the first time Team USA had four teammates from the same NBA team.{{efn-ua|The [[2012 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2012 Olympic team]] had [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] teammates [[Kevin Durant]], [[Russell Westbrook]] and [[James Harden]], while the [[2016 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2016 Olympic squad]] had Durant, [[Draymond Green]] and [[Klay Thompson]] from the [[Golden State Warriors]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Feldman|first=Dan|title=Team USA Celtics give World Cup roster unprecedented identity|date=August 17, 2019|work=NBC Sports|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/team-usa-celtics-world-cup-182428059.html|access-date=August 30, 2019|via=Yahoo.com}}</ref>}}

{{2019 United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team roster}}

The following were candidates to make the team: 
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|+Earlier candidates
!scope="col" width="140px"|Player
!scope="col" width="140px"| NBA team{{efn-lr|Player's team at the time they were removed from consideration, listed under column ''Removed''}}
!scope="col" width="100px"| Added
!scope="col" width="100px"| Removed
!scope="col" width="100px"| Reason
|-
| {{sortname|Devin|Booker}} || [[Phoenix Suns]] ||rowspan=29|April 6, 2018<ref name=usab_04062018/> ||rowspan=21|June 10, 2019 ||rowspan=21|Not named to 20-man roster<ref name=windhorst_06102019/>
|-
| {{sortname|Jimmy|Butler}} || [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
|-
| {{sortname|Mike|Conley Jr.}} || [[Memphis Grizzlies]]
|-
| {{sortname|DeMarcus|Cousins}} ||[[Golden State Warriors]]
|-
| {{sortname|Stephen|Curry}} || [[Golden State Warriors]]
|-
| {{sortname|DeMar|DeRozan}} || [[San Antonio Spurs]]
|-
| {{sortname|Kevin|Durant}} || [[Golden State Warriors]]
|-
| {{sortname|Paul|George}} || [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]
|-
| {{sortname|Draymond|Green}}||[[Golden State Warriors]]
|-
| {{sortname|Blake|Griffin}} || [[Detroit Pistons]]
|-
| {{sortname|Gordon|Hayward}} || [[Boston Celtics]]
|-
| {{sortname|Kyrie|Irving}} || [[Boston Celtics]]
|-
| {{sortname|LeBron|James}} || [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
|-
| {{sortname|DeAndre|Jordan}} || [[New York Knicks]]
|-
| {{sortname|Kawhi|Leonard}} || [[Toronto Raptors]]
|-
| {{sortname|Victor|Oladipo}} || [[Indiana Pacers]]
|-
| {{sortname|Chris|Paul}} || [[Houston Rockets]]
|-
| {{sortname|Isaiah|Thomas|dab=basketball}} || [[Denver Nuggets]]
|-
| {{sortname|Klay|Thompson}} || [[Golden State Warriors]]
|-
| {{sortname|John|Wall|dab=basketball}} || [[Washington Wizards]]
|-
| {{sortname|Russell|Westbrook}} || [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]
|-
| {{sortname|Anthony|Davis}} || [[Los Angeles Lakers]] ||July 15, 2019 || Withdrew<ref>{{cite news|last=Haynes|title=Sources: Anthony Davis won't play in FIBA Basketball World Cup, but still committed to Olympics|date=July 15, 2019|work=Yahoo Sports|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-anthony-davis-wont-play-in-fiba-basketball-world-cup-032522775.html|access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|James|Harden}} || [[Houston Rockets]] || July 19, 2019 || Withdrew<ref>{{cite news|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|title=James Harden won't play for Team USA, opting to focus on Rockets|date=July 19, 2019|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/James-Harden-wont-play-for-Team-USA-focus-Rockets-14108905.php|access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Bradley|Beal}} || [[Washington Wizards]] || rowspan="2"|July 22, 2019 || Withdrew<ref name=windhorst_07222019>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Beal, Harris latest to withdraw from Team USA|date=July 22, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27238783/beal-harris-latest-withdraw-team-usa|access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Tobias|Harris}} || [[Philadelphia 76ers]] || Withdrew<ref name=windhorst_07222019/>
|-
| {{sortname|Damian|Lillard}} || [[Portland Trail Blazers]] || July 23, 2019 || Withdrew<ref name=windhorst_07232019>{{cite web |last1=Windhorst |first1=Brian |title=Sources: Lillard, DeRozan back out of Team USA |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27244249/sources-lillard-derozan-back-team-usa |website=ESPN.com |date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=23 July 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Kevin|Love}} || [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] || July 24, 2019 || Withdrew<ref>{{cite web |title=Love becomes ninth to opt out of Team USA |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27251070/love-becomes-ninth-opt-team-usa |website=ESPN.com |date=July 24, 2019 |access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|CJ|McCollum}} || [[Portland Trail Blazers]] || rowspan="3"|July 25, 2019 || rowspan=3|Withdrew<ref name=usab_07252019>{{cite web |title=Six Players Added to USA Basketball Men's National Team World Cup Training Camp Roster |date=July 25, 2019|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/07/mnt-and-select-team-players.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725202835/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/07/mnt-and-select-team-players.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |website=usab.com |access-date=July 26, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Eric|Gordon}} || [[Houston Rockets]]
|-
| {{sortname|Paul|Millsap}} || [[Denver Nuggets]] || June 10, 2019<ref name=windhorst_06102019/>
|-
| {{sortname|Andre|Drummond}} || [[Detroit Pistons]] || April 6, 2018<ref name=usab_04062018/> ||rowspan=2|August 1, 2019 ||rowspan=2|Withdrew<ref name=usab_08012019>{{cite web|title=Bam Adebayo Added for USA Men's National Team World Cup Training Camp|date=August 1, 2019|publisher=USA Basketball|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-training-roster-add-august-1.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801180214/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-training-roster-add-august-1.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Montrezl|Harrell}} || [[Los Angeles Clippers]] || rowspan="3"|July 25, 2019<ref name=usab_07252019/>
|-
| {{sortname|Julius|Randle}} || [[New York Knicks]] || August 3, 2019 || Withdrew<ref name=usab_08032019>{{cite web|title=Fifteen Players to Participate in USA National Team World Cup Training Camp|date=August 3, 2019|publisher=USA Basketball|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-training-roster-add-august-3.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803184814/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-training-roster-add-august-3.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 3, 2019|access-date=August 3, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Thaddeus|Young}} || [[Chicago Bulls]] || rowspan="2"|August 9, 2019 || rowspan="2"|Roster cut<ref name=usab_08092019>{{cite web|title=Seventeen Finalists Announced for USA Men's World Cup Team|date=August 9, 2019|publisher=USA Basketball|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-finalists-17.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810073137/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-finalists-17.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 10, 2019|access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Bam|Adebayo}} || [[Miami Heat]] || August 1, 2019<ref name=usab_08012019/>
|-
| {{sortname|Marvin|Bagley III}} || [[Sacramento Kings]] || August 9, 2019<ref name=usab_08092019/><ref>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Gregg Popovich and the United Spurs of America|date=August 10, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/10/gregg-popovich-united-spurs-america/|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> || August 11, 2019 || Withdrew<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jason|title=One of Kings' most promising young players leaves Team USA, but two others remain|date=August 12, 2019|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article233776262.html|access-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Kyle|Lowry}} || [[Toronto Raptors]] || April 6, 2018<ref name=usab_04062018/> || August 12, 2019 || Injured<ref>{{cite news|last=Loung|first=Steven|title=Raptors star Kyle Lowry withdraws from FIBA World Cup participation|date=August 12, 2019|website=Sportsnet.ca|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-star-kyle-lowry-withdraws-fiba-world-cup-participation/|access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|P. J.|Tucker}} || [[Houston Rockets]] || June 10, 2019<ref name=windhorst_06102019/> || August 16, 2019 || Injured<ref>{{cite news|title=Rockets' Tucker withdraws from Team USA camp|date=August 16, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27402056/rockets-tucker-withdraws-team-usa-camp|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|De'Aaron|Fox}} || [[Sacramento Kings]] || August 9, 2019<ref name=usab_08092019/> || August 17, 2019 || Withdrew<ref>{{cite news|title=USA Basketball Men's World Cup Team Departs for Australia with 13 Finalists Vying for Roster Spot|date=August 17, 2019|publisher=USA Basketball|url=https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-finalists-13.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817185826/https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2019/08/mnt-wc-finalists-13.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 17, 2019|access-date=August 17, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{sortname|Kyle|Kuzma}} || [[Los Angeles Lakers]] || June 10, 2019<ref name=windhorst_06102019/> || August 24, 2019 || Injured<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuzma out of World Cup with ankle injury; US roster set|date=August 24, 2019|agency=The Associated Press|website=Yahoo.com|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/kyle-kuzma-misses-usa-australia-game-sore-left-042834423--nba.html|access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref>
|}

{{notelist-lr}}

==Exhibition games==
Team USA was 3–1 in exhibition games. They split two games against [[Australia men's national basketball team|Australia]], losing the second game 98–94. The loss ended a 78-game winning streak in major international tournaments and exhibitions with an NBA roster, which dated back to the [[2006 United States men's FIBA World Championship team|2006 FIBA World Championship team]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Team USA rebounds from loss to beat Canada|date=August 26, 2019|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/27466181/team-usa-rebounds-loss-beat-canada|access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Marc|last=Stein|title=At FIBA World Cup, U.S.A. Basketball Flirts With Vulnerability|date=August 30, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/30/sports/basketball/fiba-world-cup.html|access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref>

{{basketballbox|bg=#eee|date={{dts|format=mdy|2019|8|16}}
|place= [[Honda Center]], Anaheim
|time=10:00 PM ET 
|teamA={{Bk-rt|ESP}} |scoreA=81
|teamB='''{{flagu|United States}}''' |scoreB='''90'''
|Q1=20–'''31''' |Q2=20–'''23''' |Q3=17–17 |Q4='''23'''–19
|report= [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/AUSO/1313247/ Boxscore]
|points1= [[Marc Gasol|Gasol]] 19
|rebounds1= [[Marc Gasol|Gasol]] 4
|assist1 = [[Ricky Rubio|Rubio]] 7
|points2= [[Donovan Mitchell|Mitchell]] 13
|rebounds2= [[Kemba Walker|Walker]] 6
|assist2= [[Kemba Walker|Walker]] 8
|referee=
|attendance=
}}
{{basketballbox|bg=|date={{dts|format=mdy|2019|8|22}}
|place= [[Marvel Stadium]], Melbourne 
|time=5:30 AM ET 
|teamA={{Bk-rt|AUS}} |scoreA=86
|teamB='''{{flagu|United States}}''' |scoreB='''102'''
|Q1=20–'''22''' |Q2='''23'''–22 |Q3=18–'''32''' |Q4=25–'''26'''
|report= [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/AUSO/1313246/ Boxscore]
|points1= [[Chris Goulding|Goulding]], [[Patty Mills|Mills]] 19
|rebounds1= [[Jock Landale|Landale]] 7
|assist1 = [[Matthew Dellavedova|Dellavedova]] 6
|points2= [[Kemba Walker|Walker]] 23
|rebounds2= [[Myles Turner|Turner]] 14
|assist2= [[Jayson Tatum|Tatum]] 4
|referee=
|attendance=51,218
}}
{{basketballbox|bg=#eee|date={{dts|format=mdy|2019|8|24}}
|place= [[Marvel Stadium]], Melbourne 
|time=12:00 AM ET 
|teamA='''{{Bk-rt|AUS}}''' |scoreA= '''98'''
|teamB={{flagu|United States}} |scoreB= 94
|Q1=23–'''26''' |Q2='''25'''–23 |Q3='''30'''–27 |Q4='''20'''–18
|report= [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/AUSO/1313245/ Boxscore]
|points1= [[Patty Mills|Mills]] 30
|rebounds1= [[Andrew Bogut|Bogut]] 9
|assist1 = [[Joe Ingles|Ingles]] 7
|points2= [[Kemba Walker|Walker]] 22
|rebounds2= [[Harrison Barnes|Barnes]] 6
|assist2= [[Marcus Smart|Smart]] 3
|referee=
|attendance= 52,079
}}
{{basketballbox|bg=|date={{dts|format=mdy|2019|8|26}}
|place= [[Qudos Bank Arena]], Sydney 
|time=5:30 AM ET 
|teamA={{Bk-rt|CAN}} |scoreA=68
|teamB='''{{flagu|United States}}''' |scoreB='''84'''
|Q1=9–'''20''' |Q2=22–'''26''' |Q3=16–'''18''' |Q4='''21'''–20
|report= [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/AUSO/1314889/ Boxscore]
|points1= [[Kyle Wiltjer|Wiltjer]] 18
|rebounds1=[[Khem Birch|Birch]] 6
|assist1 =[[Kevin Pangos|Pangos]], [[Andrew Nembhard|Nembhard]], [[Kyle Wiltjer|Wiltjer]] 2
|points2= [[Jaylen Brown|Brown]] 19
|rebounds2=[[Myles Turner|Turner]] 15
|assist2=[[Donovan Mitchell|Mitchell]] 4
|referee=
|attendance=15,155
}}

==Group phase==
===First round===
{{further|2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E table}}

====Czech Republic====
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E CZE vs USA|df=mdy}}
[[Donovan Mitchell]] scored a team-high 16 points and led all Americans with 25 minutes played as the US won 88–67 over the [[Czech Republic men's national basketball team|Czech Republic]].<ref name=chau_09012019>{{cite news|last=Chau|first=Danny|title=Team USA Finds Its Star (and Its Style) in Its First FIBA World Cup Game|date=September 1, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/2019/9/1/20843418/team-usa-fiba-world-cup-game-1-donovan-mitchell|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> The Czechs took an early 11–7 lead,<ref name=chau_09012019/> but the US pretty much cruised the rest of the way.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nadkarni|first=Rohan|title=USA Basketball's First Win at the FIBA World Cup Was Boring, And That's a Good Thing|date=September 2, 2019|work=Sporting News|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/09/02/usa-basketball-fiba-world-cup-kemba-walker-donovan-mitchell-czech-republic|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> NBA player [[Tomáš Satoranský]] scored a game-high 17 points and added five [[assist (basketball)|assists]] for the Czech Republic,<ref name=chau_09012019/> whose game plan was to have their {{convert|6|ft|7|in|adj=on}} [[point guard]] use his {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} advantage over Walker.<ref name="windhorst=09012019">{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Walker, Tatum pace Team USA in FIBA victory|date=September 1, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/27514365/walker-tatum-pace-team-usa-fiba-victory|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> However, Walker held his own on defense and had 13 points along with four assists.<ref name="windhorst=09012019"/> Barnes was the second-leading scorer for Team USA with 14 points.<ref name=chau_09012019/>

====Turkey====
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E USA vs TUR|df=mdy}}

Middleton made two [[free throws]] with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime to put the US ahead 93–92, and they hung on to win after Turkey's [[Ersan Ilyasova]] missed a [[Three-point field goal|3-pointer]] as time expired.<ref name=guardian_09032019>{{cite news|title=Tatum injured as USA escape Turkey at World Cup in closest game since 2006|date=September 3, 2019|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/03/usa-turkey-basketball-world-cup|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> The Turks were ahead 92–91 with under 20 seconds remaining, but [[Cedi Osman]] and [[Doğuş Balbay]] missed four straight free throws to keep the Americans in the game. Tatum had forced overtime by making two of his three free throws after he was fouled shooting a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left in regulation.<ref name=golliver_09032019>{{cite news|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Near-loss to Turkey forces USA Basketball to confront its mortality earlier than expected|date=September 3, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/09/03/usa-basketball-gets-big-scare-turkey-narrowly-escapes-overtime/|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref>

The US led 10–2 early, and were never behind in the first half. They led 26–21 after one quarter, and were up 41–26 with 5:33 remaining in the half. However, US-born [[Scottie Wilbekin]], who was naturalized in Turkey a year before, led a 12–0 run, and the contest remained close for the rest of the game.<ref name=guardian_09032019/> Ranked No. 17 in the world, Turkey figured to be the US team's toughest competition in the first round. Their lineup featured NBA players Ilyasova, Osman, [[Furkan Korkmaz]] and [[Semih Erden]].<ref name=golliver_09032019/> Ilyasova had a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds in 38 minutes.<ref name=golliver_09032019/><ref name=devine_09032019>{{cite news|last=Devine|first=Dan|title=Turkey Wasn't Afraid of Team USA. Nobody Else Will Be Either.|date=September 3, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/9/3/20847805/team-usa-turkey-fiba-world-cup-2019|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> The Turks played most of the game using a [[2–3 zone defense]], which stalled Team USA's offense.<ref name=devine_09032019/><ref>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Team USA beats Turkey in OT, Tatum injured|date=September 3, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27528037/team-usa-beats-turkey-ot-tatum-injured|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> The Americans made 14-of-40 from 3-point range and just 13-of-37 on 2-pointers.<ref name=devine_09032019/>

Tatum sprained his left ankle while making the pass to a driving Middleton which led to the game-winning free throws.<ref name=guardian_09032019/> Initially ruled out for at least the next two games,<ref>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Tatum out at least next two Team USA games|date=September 4, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27534546/tatum-least-next-two-team-usa-games|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> he missed the remainder of the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Vardon|title=Team USA to face Spain in Olympic quarterfinal, Jayson Tatum could be key|date=August 1, 2021|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/2744849/2021/08/01/team-usa-to-face-spain-in-olympic-quarterfinal-jayson-tatum-could-be-key/|access-date=August 2, 2021|url-access=subscription|quote=Tatum was injured early during the World Cup and appeared in just two games. He was not on the floor for losses to France or Serbia, and Team USA officials have oft said a healthy Tatum would have made a difference.}}</ref>

====Japan====
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E USA vs JPN|df=mdy}}

The US raced out to an 11–0 lead en route to a 53-point win over [[Japan men's national basketball team|Japan]], 98–45. Brown had 20 points and seven rebounds, and Walker scored 15 and Barnes added 14 in the Americans' best offensive performance to date.<ref>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Team USA wins by 53, next faces Giannis, Greece|date=September 5, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27542603/team-usa-wins-53-next-faces-giannis-greece|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> Team USA held [[Rui Hachimura]], Japan's top player and the No. 9 overall pick of the [[2019 NBA draft]], to four points on two-of-eight shooting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fiba World Cup: USA stroll past Japan with Antetokounmpo lying in wait|date=September 5, 2019|newspaper=The Guardian|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/05/fiba-world-cup-usa-stroll-past-japan-with-antetokounmpo-lying-in-wait|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> [[Yudai Baba]] led the Japanese with 18 points and was their only player to score in double figures.<ref>{{cite news|last=Buckner|first=Candace|title=Rui Hachimura posterized an NBA player but has a ways to go in competing against the best|date=September 5, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/09/05/rui-hachimura-posterized-an-nba-player-has-way-go-competing-against-best/|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref>

In addition to missing Tatum, the US played without Smart, who was suffering a left [[Quadriceps femoris muscle|quad]] strain. Smart had missed most of training camp with a calf strain, also on his left side. The Americans had already qualified for the next round, which lowered the stakes for the game.<ref>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Team USA's Smart day-to-day with quad strain|date=September 5, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27541909/team-usa-smart-day-day-quad-strain|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref>

===Second round===
{{further|2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group K}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group K table}}

====Greece====
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group K USA vs GRE|df=mdy}}
Walker scored a team-high 15 points and had six assists in a 69–53 win over [[Greece men's national basketball team|Greece]].<ref name=bogage_09072019>{{cite news|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|title=Team USA shuts down Giannis Antetokounmpo, wallops Greece in FIBA World Cup|date=September 7, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/09/07/team-usa-shuts-down-giannis-antetokounmpo-wallops-greece-fiba-world-cup|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> The NBA's reigning [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|most valuable player]], [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]], had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Greeks, but his [[plus-minus]] was -17 when he was in the game.<ref name=bogage_09072019/><ref name=windhorst_09072019>{{cite news|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|title=Popovich's plan stops Giannis and Greece|date=September 7, 2019|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27560057/popovich-plan-stops-giannis-greece|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> Coach Popovich went to a [[small ball (basketball)|small lineup]] at times, enabling the United States to switch effectively on [[pick and roll]]s by Antetokounmpo.<ref name=windhorst_09072019/> American [[center (basketball)|center]] Lopez did not play at all in the game. Antetokounmpo and his brother, [[Thanasis Antetokounmpo]], had to be separated from the US team after a hard foul by Thanasis late in the game left Barnes on his stomach.<ref name=bogage_09072019/>

====Brazil====
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Group K USA vs BRA|df=mdy}}
Walker and [[Myles Turner]] each scored 16 points in a 89–73 win over [[Brazil men's national basketball team|Brazil]].<ref name=ap_09082019/> The US advanced to the quarterfinals, and also clinched a berth in the [[Basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Summer Olympics]] as one of the top two finishing teams from the [[FIBA Americas|Americas]] (along with [[Argentina national basketball team|Argentina]]).<ref name=ap_09082019>{{cite news|title=U.S. beats Brazil to reach World Cup quarters|date=September 8, 2019|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27577517/us-beats-brazil-reach-world-cup-quarters|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>

==Final round==
{{further|2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup final round}}
{{:2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup final round}}

===France===
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup game 82|df=mdy}}
[[France national basketball team|France]] came back from a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to win 89–79 over the US, ending the Americans' 58-game winning streak in FIBA and Olympic competition. [[Evan Fournier]] scored 22 points and reigning back-to-back [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award]] winner [[Rudy Gobert]] had 21 points and 16 rebounds for the French.<ref name=devine_09112019/><ref name=ap_09112019/> Mitchell had 29 points for Team USA, but he was held scoreless in the final period.<ref name=ap_09112019>{{cite news|title=Evan Fournier scored 22 points, Rudy Gobert added 21 points and 16 rebounds|date=September 11, 2019|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/27592643/france-eliminates-team-usa-world-cup|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> The loss dropped the US into the fifth-place bracket.<ref name=stein_09112019/>

In the third quarter, Team USA was faced with its first 10-point deficit of the tournament, when Popovich went to a small lineup. The United States went on a 20–9 run to lead 66–63 entering the final period. However, the French outscored the Americans 20–5 over the final 6:59. The US missed seven of their 11 free throws in the quarter and committed three turnovers in the final 3:07.<ref name=devine_09112019>{{cite news|last=Devine|first=Dan|title=Team USA's Nightmare Scenario Happened. Now It's Time to Figure Out What's Next.|date=September 11, 2019|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/9/11/20860968/team-usa-france-fiba-world-cup-quarterfinal-loss|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref>

=== Serbia ===
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup game 85|df=mdy}}

[[Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)|Bogdan Bogdanović]] scored 28 points to lead [[2019 Serbia FIBA Basketball World Cup team|Serbia]] to a 94–89 win over the United States, who were assured of their worst major tournament finish ever, surpassing their sixth-place showing in the [[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002 World Championship]]. The Serbs outscored the Americans 32–7 in the first quarter for a 25-point lead, but the US held a 33–12 advantage in the second period to trail 44–40 at the half.<ref name=reynolds_09122019>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|title=US loses to Serbia 94-89, assuring worst big-tourney finish|date=September 12, 2019|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/4b1fa6241df9437d8513d9804e9becf3|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> Entering the tournament, the US and Serbia were considered the favorites to meet for the gold medal.<ref name=reynolds_09122019/><ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=Spain Wins FIBA World Cup, Giving Marc Gasol a Rare Double|date=September 15, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/15/sports/basketball/spain-argentina-fiba-world-cup.html|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> Smart missed the game due to an injured left hand.<ref name=reynolds_09122019/>

=== Poland ===
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup game 89|df=mdy}}

The United States won 87–74 over [[Poland national basketball team|Poland]] to finish the World Cup in seventh place. The Americans received strong performances from Mitchell (16 points and 10 assists) and [[Joe Harris (basketball)|Joe Harris]] (14 points). The US was up 17 points at halftime, but Poland kept the match close for much of the second half.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|title=U.S. Defeats Poland at Basketball World Cup. But for 7th Place.|date=September 14, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/14/sports/basketball/usa-basketball-poland-world-cup.html|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> Team USA played again without the injured Smart, and Walker missed the game as well with a neck injury.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Reynolds|title=USA Basketball beats Poland, finishes in 7th place at World Cup|date=September 14, 2019|work=Boston.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/nba/2019/09/14/usa-basketball-poland-world-cup/|access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Vardon|title='Better teams got to the finals': World Cup is over for Team USA, and now it's time to face some hard truths|date=September 14, 2019|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/1210599/2019/09/14/better-teams-got-to-the-finals-world-cup-is-over-for-team-usa-and-now-its-time-to-face-some-hard-truths/|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 1, 2023|quote= Marcus Smart missed the last two games and Walker didn’t play Saturday.}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{United States men's national basketball team}}
{{2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup}}
{{Portal bar|Sports|Basketball}}

[[Category:United States at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup]]
[[Category:2018–19 in American basketball|FIBA Basketball World Cup]]
[[Category:United States at the FIBA Basketball World Cup]]
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