• Team USA handled Puerto Rico in their first friendly ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• Final score: 117-74
• Anthony Edwards and Cam Johnson led the team in scoring with 15 points
Team USA has gotten their 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign to a strong start with a dominant win over Puerto Rico in their first friendly match ahead of the tournament.
It was a team-oriented win, with leading scorers Anthony Edwards and Cameron Johnson scoring 15 points, with five other players also scoring double-digit points. Fans are excited about what’s to come from this squad.
Team USA DOMINATES Puerto Rico in their first exhibition game 💯
Anthony Edwards
15 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, 7-of-13 FG
Cam Johnson
15 points, 6 rebounds, 7-of-10 FG
Mikal Bridges
14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 6-of-9 FG
Jaren Jackson Jr.
12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks pic.twitter.com/V7A1inb1nb
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 8, 2023
Jaren Jackson Jr. impressed fans and looked like the solution at center Team USA has been looking for.
Jaren Jackson Jr is easily the best player on this USA squad
— coopz (@Coopz___) August 8, 2023
Jalen Brunson’s hustle was appreciated by fans, as he ended the game with a team-high 12 rebounds.
Would you believe me when I say Jalen Brunson is the leading rebounder for Team USA with nine?
Crazy😤
— Let’s Talk Knicks (LTK) (@LetsTalkKnicks_) August 8, 2023
The speed with which Team USA was playing encouraged fans for how they’ll perform in open-court situations in the World Cup.
This USA team is going to destroy people in the fast break, with so many good defenders they will get plenty of opportunities as well
— Bryson Wright (@BrysonWright3) August 8, 2023
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Austin Reaves were heavily appreciated for their efforts.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Austin Reaves carrying Team USA pic.twitter.com/bnJ27SskSZ
— trenton (@RentFreeGrizzly) August 8, 2023
Fans loved what Reaves brought to the table in particular.
the kid from the ranch is carrying TEAM USA off the bench 🇺🇸
Casual will respect Austin Reaves eventually 😤pic.twitter.com/oFMMJatRJv
— †(@HoodiHachimura) August 8, 2023
Brandon Ingram played really well as well, notching 11 points and 2 blocks, causing fans to remark about him having a great defensive showing.
Brandon Ingram is a 2 way player now pic.twitter.com/s21vox3So0
— . (@LeBIKUZO) August 8, 2023
It was a very impressive performance overall by Team USA. The defense was especially impressive, with the team forcing 10 steals and 10 blocks altogether.
Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking notched 12 incredible assists, while Edwards and Mikal Bridges promised to be an incredible defensive wing duo by notching seven combined steals.
Team USA Looking Strong Ahead Of The World Cup
After a pretty shameful seventh-place finish at the 2019 World Cup, Team USA will be motivated to prove their doubters wrong and win the 2023 edition with players that likely won’t make their 2024 Olympics squad.
The cohesion of this group looked great on the court, with clearly defined roles also playing an impact. Brandon Ingram impressed with his two-way ability, while Jaren Jackson Jr. proved why he is the Defensive Player of the Year.
The versatility on the roster means Steve Kerr needs to figure out what his best five to close out games will be. Either way, it seems Team USA is not as ill-equipped to win the World Cup as they were in 2019.
Team USA’s next friendly is against Luka Doncic and the Slovenian national team on August 13.
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