ORLANDO (SNN-TV) – Orlando Magic forward and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero is one of 12 NBA players selected to play for the Men’s National Team that will compete at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila, Philippines. Of the 12 total players, none have been part of a World Cup or Olympics team before now.
The team will be coached by Steve Kerr, who’ll be assisted by Erik Spoelstra, Tyronn Lue and Mark Few. Kerr’s squad will play five warm-up games before the World Cup, which begins Aug. 25th. Team USA will be in Manila for their entire stay, where they’ll have group-stage games against New Zealand, Greece and Jordan.
The World Cup serves as the primary qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Team USA seeks to win a fifth consecutive Olympic title.