There was always a chance that the Select Team – a group of young players, plus some veterans – brought in to help Team USA prepare for the FIBA World Cup might prove a challenge.
That’s exactly what happened as, led by Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, the Select Team won both scrimmages.
It is reminiscent, to a certain extent, of that mythical single defeat of the 1992 Barcelona Dream Team against the youngsters led by Chris Webber.
The 2023 Select Team is made up of Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Langston Galloway, Jalen Green, Chet Holmgren, John Jenkins, Herb Jones, Eric Mika, Trey Murphy, Keegan Murray, Payton Pritchard, Naz Reid and Jalen Williams.
Young talent, some regulars from the G League, and a measuring stick for a USA team that lacks some big names like Durant, LeBron James.
Of all the names on the Select Team, Cunningham, who drew praise from the main team, stands out.
“He dominated us. The young guys did what they had to do,” recounted Tyrese Haliburton.
“We lost,” added Jaren Jackson Jr. Even Steve Kerr, head coach, had no qualms about admitting what happened.
“It’s a time-honored tradition in USA Basketball,” he said. “”That’s the whole point.
“You want to get great talent to come in and challenge you every which way. And that’s what the Select Team did today. It’s good stuff.”
No doubt this isn’t a good start for Team USA, but it’s still Training Camp and they must travel to Spain for the first real measuring stick.