The quest for a gold medal begins Sunday in Shanghai for the two-time defending FIBA World Cup champion USA Basketball.
The competition will be fiercer than in years past, given the large contingent of US players opting to withdraw from participation. All-Stars Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Damien Lillard highlight the list of those who backed out prior to the start of training camp, but managing director Jerry Colangelo has stressed any perceived decline in talent is not a concern.
“These are not ‘C’ players,’’ Colangelo said on the first day of practice. “You’ve heard a lot of criticism about who isn’t here, and I keep repeating that it’s about who is here.