Zodiac
Years ago

Travis Trice leads Team USA to World Cup qualification

Former Bullet Travis Trice going to work on the international stage.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — USA Basketball is headed to the 2019 Basketball World Cup.

The U.S. — with a roster made up of G-League players coached by Jeff Van Gundy — rallied late to beat Uruguay 78-70 on Sunday night, a win that clinches a spot for the Americans in next year's FIBA World Cup in China. The U.S. won the last two World Cups in 2010 and 2014, and will aim to become the first nation to capture three consecutive gold medals at the event. The 2019 World Cup is also the primary qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Travis Trice scored 17 points in the clinching win for the U.S. John Jenkins scored 13 points for the Americans (8-2), who have two qualifying games remaining at North Carolina in February.

The World Cup starts Aug. 31. The draw for the 32-team event will be held March 16.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/12/02/usa-beats-uruguay-qualifies-for-2019-basketball-world-cup/

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robt
Years ago

"The U.S. — with a roster made up of G-League players ", from above.

1st thought on reading this was that we play our qualifcation matches with avail NBL guys while the USA do same with their G-League. Is it fair to think that our NBL roughly equivelant to G-League? Just mean in playing standards.

Subsequent thought. All Stars NBL v All Stars G-League.

Subsequent thought 2. (do above) when we get to send all of our teams over for their pre-season. That way, all our players are already their etc. Be great to beam that back to Oz. What say you Larry?

Subs th.. 3. Next year would be perfect, Larry. Just months before the big boys play here 'fore the World Champs (couldn't bring myself to call it "the WC"!).

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MACDUB
Years ago

Thought USA had automatic qualification as the Olympic champion; but a quick research has shown FIBA removed that automatic qualification spot post 2014. Probably isn't going to have any affect any time soon;

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AD
Years ago

Yeah, and people wonder why nobody pays any fucking attention to the World Cup. FIBA are just a joke.
What would they have done if the USA sent a bunch of College kids to all their game, and somehow failed to qualify. FIBA would look pretty fucking stupid.

The USA should just host something like a "World Series". Say 8~12 teams, by invitation.

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AD
Years ago

In regards to the G-League.
I imagine there would be some very good players in the G-League. Those guy who either have 2-way contracts, or are in the G-League because they are on the cusp of picking NBA contracts. So a genuine G-League ALLstars team would be potent, and would presumably dominate an NBL equivalent.

But then the quality drops away. Most are guys who can't get a gig anywhere else.

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Violet Crumble
Years ago

The G League is a mixed bag. As the coin is very, very below the top European leagues, the 'best of the rest' tend to head overseas. The top end of the G League certainly has some fringe NBA players, and remain there for the possibility call up. The ease for NBA teams, ie no buyouts and local, make it a better option for some. Unfortunately because of this there is very little defence or tough, competitive basketball. It’s there to ‘get your stats’. It’s well short of being a quality minor league. The odd team has utilised having an affiliate well, such as Toronto, but few teams do. It will be interesting to see whether it does develop as an alternative to NCAA in the future though. That would give it a shot in the arm.

I wouldn’t mind seeing NBL teams play some pre-season games against G League competition. It would perhaps be a better measuring stick as you know those guys would be looking to impress and not just go half speed like some of the NBA teams.

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Hoops

Travis Trice leads Team USA to World Cup qualification

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