With the FIBA World Cup set to get underway in China in just over a week’s time, USA Basketball has reached a crucial juncture in ramping up its preparations, as have Milwaukee Bucks duo Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez in their hopes of being key contributors to that effort.
Gregg Popovich’s final roster cut is also coming up quickly on the horizon, leaving a three-game exhibition schedule as the last chance for any players on the bubble to make a lasting impression to make the 12-man squad.
The first of those games took place in Melbourne against the mini-tour’s host, Australia, in the early hours of Thursday morning U.