Road to FIBA AmeriCup 2022: Getting to know USA

MIAMI (United States) – The reigning champions are back and will be looking to keep their crown. All that is left to see is what kind of roster they’ll be able to field but, no matter who they select, they’ll be among the favorites due to their depth of talent. In the past, they dominated with NBA players but also players from other leagues.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 1

They’ve held the top spot during many years due to their performances both at the continental and global levels. The U.S. suffered a setback at the 2019 FIBA World Cup but then bounced back to win their 16th gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

 

AmeriCup debut: 1989

It was in the fourth edition of the tournament that the North Americans participated for the first time. In that occasion, they took home the silver medal.

AmeriCup appearances (including 2022): 10

Team USA has participated in 10 out of the last 19 editions. The reason is that under the old system of qualification to World Cups and Olympic Games, several times the United States had already their berth secured directly and weren’t obligated to play in the continental tournament.

Most recent appearance: 2017

With a group of athletes from the G-League (the NBA’s development league) and under the guidance of veteran head coach Jeff Van Gundy, they won it all and went undefeated. It was their return to the competition after not playing in the previous four occasions.

Best showing: 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2017

The mythical “Dream Team” with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird gave the Americans their first trophy. Since then, they’ve won in another six instances, becoming the winningest country in history with seven gold medals.

Emblematic players:

Michael Jordan

One of the most iconic moments in the history of sports was witnessing the magnificent American “Dream Team,” considered by many the best team of all time. That squad that won gold at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona first played together earlier at the AmeriCup held in Portland. Michael Jordan led that star-studded roster, and all eyes were on the Chicago Bulls guard after his team had just completed their first three-peat.

And MJ might have stolen the spotlight, but the squad also featured John Stockton, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin and Christian Laettner.

Kobe Bryant

Once the original “Dream Team” was in the rearview mirror, another Los Angeles Lakers guard showed up in the early 2000s and became a fan favorite for the next two decades. Bryant led the U.S. team to the top at the 2007 AmeriCup held in Las Vegas, averaging 15.3 points in just 19.9 minutes per game.

In that 2007 tournament he played alongside other superstars like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Dwight Howard. That was the last time the red, white and blue had NBA representation at the tournament.

Current star:

It’s hard to tell who will lead the United States in the upcoming AmeriCup, as it will depend on what type of roster they field. In the qualifiers, veterans Isaiah Thomas (14.0 points per game), Joe Johnson (11.0 points, 9 rebounds and 6.5 assists) and Brandon Bass (12 points and 7.5 rebounds) had the team playing at a high level. Due to their vast NBA experience, they proved to be above and beyond the level of the competition.

More recently, at the FIBA World Cup Americas qualifiers, big man Jordan Bell became the team’s defensive stalwart (7.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2 steals) and guard Langston Galloway (12.5 points) and forward Justin Jackson (19.5 points) provided the offensive firepower.

How they qualified:

They were the only team with a perfect record (6-0) during the AmeriCup Qualifiers, winning Group D over Puerto Rico, Mexico and Bahamas. Their victories had an average point differential higher than 20 points.

Projection:

As previously mentioned, no matter who they bring to the competition, the Americans will be among the favorites. Besides, they’re the defending champions and will try, for the third time in history, to win it back-to-back.

Right now, they’re on a four-game winning streak at the 2023 FIBA World Cup Americas qualifiers to finish the first round, and before heading to AmeriCup they will match up against Uruguay and Colombia in the first window of the second round of qualifiers.

FIBA