Magic's Paolo Banchero Reportedly to Play for Team USA at 2023 FIBA World Cup
Team USA is reportedly adding the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year to its roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has committed to play for the United States in the tournament.
The FIBA World Cup will begin Aug. 25 and run through Sept. 10. It will be held across three different host nations in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
After starring at Duke, Banchero was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, and he didn't disappoint.
As a rookie, Banchero started all 72 games he appeared in for the Magic and averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 three-pointers made, while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Banchero is poised to join an American team that was already stacked with talent and figures to enter the FIBA World Cup as the gold medal favorite.
Per Cody Taylor of USA Today, the Team USA roster also includes New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Brooklyn Nets forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
No team has been more successful in the FIBA World Cup than the United States, as it has won a record five gold medals and 12 total medals, but 2019 was disastrous for the red, white and blue.
After winning the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cups, Team USA finished a disappointing seventh four years ago, which was its worst-ever result.
In an apparent effort to erase what happened in 2019 and progress toward winning three of the past four World Cups, Team USA is loading up, and it should have the deepest roster in the tournament come Aug. 25.
