April 2019 Basketball Wiretap

USA Keeps No. 1 FIBA Ranking Despite 7th Place Finish

Sep 19, 2019 11:00 AM

The United States have kept their No. 1 ranking in the FIBA men's rankings despite a seventh place finish in this year's World Cup.

The top spot has been held by the United States for nine straight years since winning the 2010 world championship.

The FIBA rankings take results from the most recent eight years into account.

Spain remained at No. 2, while Australia jumped eight spots to No. 3. Argentina and France rounded out the top-5.

ESPN

Tags: United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National World Championships, National Teams

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Stephen Curry Intends To Play In 2020 Olympics

Sep 18, 2019 10:57 AM

Stephen Curry plans on playing in the 2020 Olympics for the United States. Curry has never played in the Olympics previously.

"That is the plan, for sure," Curry said in an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols. "You know, obviously knock on wood, you don't want any injuries or things like that to interfere."

Curry twice played for the United States in the World Cup.

"Definitely wanna go," Curry said. "I've never been on the Olympic team. I've been on two World Cup championship gold-medal teams. But the Olympics is the experience that I want. And next year will hopefully be it."

Rachel Nichols/ESPN

Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Stephen Curry, Draymond Green Expected To Play In Olympics

Sep 17, 2019 2:52 PM

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are expected to make themselves available for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

Curry has never played in an Olympics for the United States.

Green played in the 2016 Olympics.

James Harden, Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Kevin Love and Andre Drummond were initially committed to play in the World Cup but all bowed out.

Donovan Mitchell is considered one of the few favorites from the 2019 team expected to earn a spot on the 2020 roster.

Marc Stein/New York Times

Tags: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Jerry Colangelo: USA Has To Get Act Together For Olympics

Sep 12, 2019 3:55 PM

The United States had more than 50 players who were part of the World Cup plan. They only cut two after the first week of training camp with the other three dozen dropping out on their own.

"We're going to let the dust settle, let things depress a little bit," Jerry Colangelo said. "Obviously I'm always thinking ahead, which means what's going to take place, and it's going to happen fast and soon because we just have to get our act together for the Olympics."

The United States will go back to the drawing board ahead of the Olympics in Tokyo next summer.

"Going forward for USA Basketball, we're going to need the cooperation of teams, agents and then there has to be communication with players one-on-one to solidify those commitments," Colangelo said. "I am going to be anxious to see how many players reach out early to indicate that they wish and want and desire to play.

"But I'll make this statement: It's as much about maybe who we don't want as much as who we want."

Associated Press

Tags: United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National World Championships, National Teams

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Jayson Tatum Out At Least Two Games With Sprained Left Ankle

Sep 4, 2019 9:29 AM

Jayson Tatum will miss at least the next two games of the World Cup with a sprained left ankle.

Tatum turned the ankle in the final seconds of overtime in Team USA's 93-92 win over Turkey on Tuesday.

Team USA will open second-round play Saturday, but that is not an elimination game. The first time the Americans could face elimination is Monday, the day Tatum will be reevaluated.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Jayson Tatum, United States, NBA, NBA Injury, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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