MANILA (AFP) – United States (US) captain Jalen Brunson said yesterday that egos will be “left at the door” as the Americans try to regain the Basketball World Cup after a disastrous performance four years ago.
The 32-team competition tips off today in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, with the US beginning their campaign against New Zealand a day later.
The Americans, who will play in Group ‘C’ in Manila, are looking to set the record straight after slumping to a seventh-place finish at the 2019 tournament in China.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has picked a young and talented squad for this competition and Brunson said they have “one common goal, which is to win”.
“Every time we step out on the court it’s about how can we be better than we were yesterday, that’s been our mindset,” said the New York Knicks guard. “We have a lot of guys who come from different situations and play different styles of basketball but here, egos are left at the door. We all just want to win.”
Brunson is joined in the US squad by NBA All-Star guards Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards of Minnesota and Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana, and Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Also present are 2022 NBA All-Defensive Team swingman Mikal Bridges of Brooklyn, New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram and 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero of Orlando.
