April 2021 Basketball Wiretap

USA Basketball Finishes 6-0 In AmeriCup

Feb 20, 2021 11:40 PM

USA Basketball finished 6-0 in the AmeriCup qualifying tournament following their 96-75 win over Mexico.

Ra'Shad James lead Team USA with 21 points, followed by Brandon Bass with 12 points.

Isaiah Thomas finished with nine points in 20 minutes.

"We really represent something bigger than ourselves, and we did that. We talked about how we had a standard to uphold," said U.S. coach Joe Prunty.

USA Basketball had already qualified for the next round prior to their two wins this week. 

The AmeriCup qualifiers were a step to making the 2023 Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

ESPN

Tags: National

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Isaiah Thomas Scores 19 Points For U.S. In AmeriCup Qualifying Game

Feb 20, 2021 1:35 PM

Isaiah Thomas scored 19 points for the U.S. in their 93-77 win over the Bahamas in a FIBA AmeriCup qualifying game.

It was Thomas' first competitive game in over a year.

"The world knows I've got what it takes. So, it's just about showing that I'm healthy. My skill didn't go anywhere, it was just about getting a hundred percent healthy, which I am right now," said Thomas after the game.

James Nunnally also scored 19 points, with Joe Johnson finishing with 11 points and 9 rebounds.

The U.S. are 5-0 in qualifying play. 

ESPN

Tags: Isaiah Thomas, National

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Ben Simmons Among Nine NBA Players Named To Australia's 24-Player Olympic Team

Feb 4, 2021 1:30 AM

Ben Simmons was one of nine NBA players announced to Australia's basketball team for this summer's Olympic games.

Simmons has yet to play for Australia in a major international tournament.

"It would be an amazing honour to play for my country. I know things are uncertain right now but I've been in touch with Coach Goorjian and we're hopeful I can join the Boomers," said Simmons.

Other NBA players include Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Ryan Broekhoff, Thon Maker, Will Magnay, and Matisse Thybulle. 

Australia finished in fourth place during the Brazil Olympics. 

Olgun Uluc/ESPN

Tags: Ben Simmons, Joe Ingles, Matt Dellavedova, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Ryan Broekhoff, Thon Maker, Matisse Thybulle, Australia, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Team USA Planning On Creating Bubble In Vegas To Prepare For Olympics

Feb 4, 2021 1:23 AM

USA Basketball is planning on creating a bubble in Las Vegas for Team USA, Australia, and Spain to train together before this summer's Olympics.

Team USA has tentatively planned to open training camp the week of July 4th, during the NBA playoffs.

The playoffs are currently scheduled to go through July 22nd. 

USA Basketball has also petitioned the Olympic committee to allow for roster changes even during the Olympics to account for players still active in the playoffs.

"Rosters by a certain date doesn't make any sense. What we're seeking is flexibility to substitute players very late and to get the best players on the court. It doesn't just apply to us but for all the countries," said managing director Jerry Colangelo.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: National, National Olympics

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United States To Open Olympics Against France

Feb 2, 2021 1:27 PM

The United States will open the Olympics against France in group play. France ended the United States' 58-game winning streak at the 2019 World Cup.

"It's exciting to learn more about the Olympic schedule and who our preliminary-round opponents will be in Tokyo," Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said in a statement. "The three Olympic preliminary groups appear to be well balanced, and there are a good number of teams who have legitimate shots at the gold."

Iran and the team that wins the qualifying tournament for the final spot in the games will be in the group as well.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: NBA, National, National Olympics

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