The street to the subsequent World Cup within the Philippines is beginning to get paved, because the USA Basketball group is already scheduling a pair of showcase matches in Abu Dhabi this summer season.
The Males’s federation just lately settled to play with the German and Greek nationwide squads in August after reaching an settlement with Abu Dhabi’s Division of Tradition and Tourism. The People will host the three-contest sequence, together with a pleasant sport in opposition to the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S. will compete first in opposition to Greece on August 18 after which Germany three days later, as each Europeans will conflict on August 19.
The 2023 USA Basketball Showcase is headed to Abu Dhabi 🤝 @dctabudhabi
We’ll see you in August, 🇩🇪 @DBB_Basketball 🇬🇷 @HellenicBF
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 8, 2023
“USA Basketball is thrilled to work with DCT Abu Dhabi to carry the USA Basketball Showcase to Abu Dhabi,” the federation’s CEO Jim Tooley stated in the present day in press convention. “That is the primary time our males’s nationwide group will play within the UAE and we’re excited to have interaction with followers from throughout the globe, whereas additionally providing our gamers and coaches memorable on- and off-court experiences.”
Presently, the Males’s U.S. group is ranked by FIBA because the second greatest across the globe, simply as their future rivals in Greece are ninth and Germany eleventh.
As is common, the nationwide squad will collect for coaching camp in Las Vegas earlier than saying their World Cup roster in the summertime time, because the classes will likely be directed underneath Golden State’s coach Steve Kerr, Warmth’s Erik Spoelstra as his assistant, Mark Few of Gonzaga, and the just lately added Tyronn Lue from the Los Angeles Clippers to finish the employees.
DCT Abu Dhabi director common of tourism, Saleh Al Geziry, is worked up for what’s to come back. “It’s set to be an unforgettable summer season in Abu Dhabi and it’s an honor to host the primary USA Basketball Showcase within the UAE,” he stated.
One of many final accolades earned by the Males’s nationwide squad was their fourth-consecutive olympic gold medal in 2021’s version in Tokyo, Japan. Check out their remaining efficiency in opposition to none apart from France:
This isn’t the primary time the NBA has a relationship with the UAE
The NBA participated in pleasant matches for the primary time in Abu Dhabi final 12 months, as they despatched Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks to play the Atlanta Hawks for a few preseason video games again in October. Because it resulted in success, the league is getting ready two extra exhibitions with NBA franchises later this 12 months.
As for the U.S. squad, this would be the second weekend of showcase video games overseas as they put together for the FIBA World Cup. Earlier than their contests within the Center East, they’re closing the deal to play Spain and Luka Doncic’s Slovenia in Malaga from August 11 to the thirteenth.
Spain, who’re the reining world champions and are nonetheless ranked the globe’s greatest by FIBA, will likely be celebrating their federation’s one centesimal anniversary.
The World Cup will likely be performed within the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan, and is ready to begin on August 25 all the best way till the tenth of September. As for the draw, all 32 participant nations will know their opponents within the following month of April.