Which 12 players would be chosen if the World Cup were an U-23 event?
In 2012, former NBA Commissioner David Stern made headlines when he proposed Olympic basketball shift to an U-23 model. In a situation similar to soccer, many of the NBA’s top stars would have been protected from injuring themselves while playing on the national level. In addition, according to Stern, such a system would alleviate much of the competitive advantage the United States boasts in international competition.
Skeptics of Stern’s unofficial proposal said that the competitive gap between Team USA and other countries around the world would widen, as the college system seasons players better than many international models. Likewise, many players truly cherish the opportunity to play nationally with their country across their chest and would vehemently oppose switching the current model.
As you are likely aware, Stern’s proposal did not gain enough traction, and the FIBA World Cup and Olympics remain without an age limit. It leaves room, however, for speculation: What would a United States team look like if it were forced to choose only athletes 23 and under?
The No-Brainers
Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond
Irving, Davis and Drummond were all selected for the FIBA World Cup despite being younger than 24 years old. Each is a budding star in the NBA and would be a cornerstone of an U-23 national team. Arguably, Davis has been the best player in the current FIBA World Cup (where USA will play Serbia in the final), and Irving has been a regular starter throughout the tournament. It is impossible to imagine an international tournament at the 23 and under level without including Irving, Davis and Drummond.
Would-be Locks
Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard
Beal and Leonard would complete a starting unit with the three players above by starting at both of the wings, assuming Team USA plays traditionally with two big men. Beal nearly made the 2014 World Cup as an added shooter who can also finish at the rim and defend at an above-average level. He would have potential to be a leading scorer on an U-23 team. Kawhi Leonard is famous for his tough play and knack for making the right choices on a Spurs team that has dominated (along with the Miami Heat) the past few seasons. Leonard has improved as a scorer and would serve as Team USA’s lockdown defender on the wing. It is nearly impossible to think of an U-23 team without Beal or Leonard.
Possible Choices – Guards
Brandon Knight
Knight is still just 22 years old after being drafted in 2011 by Detroit. A one-and-done out of Kentucky, Knight put up career-best numbers for a bad Milwaukee team in 2013-14, where he posted nearly 18 points per game and five assists. He is adept at slashing past his defender with a quick first step, and while he is not a terrific shooter, he would be a great fit on an U-23 international team.
Michael Carter-Williams
Like Knight listed above, Carter-Williams’ outside shot is not a key element of his game. Carter-Williams is not as good of an outside shooter as Knight but possesses better court vision and can find his teammates ready to shoot. Playing for an awful Philadelphia team as a rookie, Carter earned Rookie of the Year honors after scoring 16.7 points to go with 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game. His court vision would be highly sought after on a transition-dependent USA team.
Marcus Smart
An incoming rookie for the Boston Celtics, Smart started for Team USA at the point at the 2013 U-19 FIBA World Championships in Prague. Smart did not shoot the ball well (a common denominator among the backup point guards on this list) but was praised for his tough defense and ability to play both guard positions. Smart would be facing longer odds than Knight or Carter-Williams to make this team, though he deserves to be in the conversation.
Possible Choices – Wings
Victor Oladipo
Oladipo was the Rookie-of-the-Year runner-upfor Orlando, where he scored nearly 14 points per game, while adding more than four rebounds and four assists per game, as well. A true highflyer, Oladipo would likely fill the same role DeMar DeRozan has played for Team USA over the current World Cup in Spain. Through good defense and quality shot selection, Oladipo could be an effective sixth man for the team.
Dion Waiters
How good is Dion Waiters? Despite the rumblings he did not get along with Irving (also on this team), Waiters tallied nearly 16 points per game, playing near league-average efficiency. As a third-year player in Cleveland next to LeBron James, his efficiency should only improve. Waiters would be looked upon for instant scoring and athleticism on the wing, albeit not at the same level as Oladipo could provide.
Jabari Parker
The most recent No. 2 draft choice by Milwaukee, Parker arrives to the NBA after starring at Duke. Parker was a favorite among scouts and had many believers that he should have been taken as the top overall choice. There is no doubting that Parker’s career will be flush with All-Star appearances, but would he be ready to make this team now? Only 19 years old, Parker would have high expectations placed on him immediately, and how he responds could eventually influence his status on the international level with the United States.
C.J. McCollum
OK, OK. I know what you are thinking. McCollum does not belong on this list, right? McCollum faced injuries with the Portland Trail Blazers as a rookie and only posted 5.3 points per game with a dreadful 9.0 PER. Why is he included on this list? McCollum is an elite outside shooter. Finding an elite, under-23 shooter in the NBA was a more difficult task than anticipated, and McCollum offers versatility with the positions he could play. McCollum shot 38 percent from 3-point range as a rookie and shot 51.6 percent as a senior at Lehigh in the 12 games before he broke his foot.
Possible Choices – Posts
Derrick Favors
Favors is a near double-double player for the Jazz who looks primed for an increased role under new head coach Quin Snyder. Favors would be the third big man on the roster and can fill in at both post spots. Favors has some ability to make a mid-range jump shot, though he thrives in the post with an elite vertical and strong lower body. A great rebounder, Favors would help limit opponents to just one shot.
Terrence Jones
Jones stepped up as a starting power forward in Houston next to Dwight Howard and played very well when given consistent minutes. The former Kentucky forward averaged 12.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in 27 minutes per game and added more than a block per game as well. The biggest strength to Jones World Cup candidacy is his ability to play a stretch-4. Jones shot better than 30 percent from beyond the 3-point line and would benefit from FIBA’s closer 3-point distance.
Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel is unproven and untested. After dominating defensively as a freshman at Kentucky (another trend on this list), Noel missed all of his first NBA season and looked great in summer league. Choosing him for the team based solely on summer league and exhibitions may be a scary proposition, but his skill set would be welcomed at the FIBA level. As an elite shot-blocker and rebounder, Noel would fit in as a deeper backup big man.
Jahlil Okafor
Okafor is set to begin his freshman year at Duke and is still just 18 years of age. The new Blue Devil has had success on the national circuit, as he was named the MVP of the U-17 World Championships in 2012 and was on the U-19 roster in Prague with many of the other players on this list. Okafor offers the ability to score in the post and is strong enough to hold his own against other U-23 post players from around the world. He will step into a starring role at Duke and could be a good fit for an U-23 World Cup team, too.
Aaron Gordon
Gordon may seem like a stretch to make the team, as he is an undersized four-man who does not shoot the ball particularly well. After being selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Gordon will likely start next to Vucevic in the Magic frontcourt. Gordon was named the MVP of the U-19 World Championships after averaging a team-high 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. He would fill the Kenneth Faried role on the U.S. team if selected. We’ve seen how well Faried has worked for Coach K thus far.
The Roster:
Seventeen players were listed above as candidates to make the hypothetical 23-and-under World Cup team. Keep in mind when analyzing the final choices, sometimes finding the 12 right players is more important than simply picking the 12 best players.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MI28HqIW5s&w=480&h=360]
Starters: G Kyrie Irving, G Bradley Beal, F Kawhi Leonard, F Anthony Davis, C Andre Drummond
Reserves: G Brandon Knight, G Michael Carter-Williams, G Victor Oladipo, F Jabari Parker, C Derrick Favors, F Terrence Jones, G C.J. McCollum
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
