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Kerr proud of team-oriented US team for World Cup
UNITED States basketball team head coach Steve Kerr is looking forward to competing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup next month at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and bared their ultimate design by way of a chilly warning to the opposition.
“My staff and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to coach such talented, teamoriented players,” Kerr said. “I’m confident this group will represent our country well, with effort, talent and a commitment to winning together. We look forward to competing for a gold medal in the World Cup later this summer.”
By putting together a roster of next generation NBA stars, Kerr, of the Golden State Warriors, must, in effect, be saying that Spain and Argentina, which clashed for the gold medal in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, along with the rest of the field, will now have company.
Four years ago, the Americans, coached by Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio
Spurs and bannered by NBA stars Harrison Barnes, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kris Middleton and Kemba Walker, were tossed around in the crucial stage of the tournament, bumped off a podium finish by France 89-79 in the quarterfinals and edged by Serbia 94-89 in the 5th to 8th classification before beating Poland 87-74 for 7th place. With Kerr calling the shots this time, assisted by Los Angeles Clippers’ Tyronn Lue, Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga University’s Mark Few, Team USA looks to fare much better as it kicks off the Group Phase against New Zealand on August 26, Greece on August 28 and Jordan on August 30, all at 8:40 p.m. at the SM MOA Arena in Pasay City, where the Final Phase, from the quarterfinals to the championship, will also be played. Single game tickets, including for opening day on August 25, are now available via smtickets.com. Inaugural action features Mexico against Montenegro at 4:45 p.m., and Egypt against Lithuania at 7:30 p.m.
Packed with top tier emerging NBA stars, USA’s roster will consist of 20-yearold reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic, Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers),
Josh Hart (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers). The young US squad is not without solid credentials.
Banchero, from Duke University, was the best player coming out of college in 2022 and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Magic. Bridges, from NCAA champion Villanova, was a recipient of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award and a member of the AllBig East First Team. Brunson, also from Villanova, won gold medals as a member of the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 and 2015 FIBA U19 World Championships where he was named MVP. Edwards, from the Georgia Bulldogs, was NBA All-rookie First Team as a No. 1 overall pick in 2020-21, and was an NBA AllStar in the 2022-23.
MELBOURNE—Goalkeeper Re- becca Spencer says Jamaica’s historic run into the knockout stages of the World Cup will put pressure on football bosses at home to take the women’s team seriously.
The Reggae Girlz dished up a defensive masterclass to get the point they needed against Brazil to reach the last 16 in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The 0-0 draw saw ninth-ranked Brazil dumped out of the tournament in the group stage, their poorest performance since an exit at the same early stage in 1995.
Lorne Donaldson’s 51st-ranked Jamaica have defied turbulent preparations to reach the last 16 for the first time.
The team have been in open dispute with their football federation over a lack of support, including issues over pay and poor planning in the build-up to the World Cup.
“Obviously we fight a constant battle,” said the London-born Spencer, saying the players felt they had “a point to prove”. AFP
By Dennis Abrina
BASKETBALL superstar Scottie Thompson formally graduated from College at Perpetual University with a degree in Business Administration, Major in Marketing Management.
Thompson also received the Dr./ BGen. Antonio Laperal Tamayo Leadership Plaque for Sports and Athletics from UPHSD President Dr. Anthony Tamayo, Vice Chair Dr. Daisy Moran Tamayo, Executive Vice President Marjorie Gutierrez-Tangog and Dr. Arnaldo De Guzman, UPH-Las Pinas City campus, school director during the school’s commencement rites.
“Gift ko po itong pagtatapos ko ng College sa aming baby ni (wife) Jinky na si Aster,” the Ginebra player said. Thompson graduated with 671 other Perpetual Help students in the school year 2022-2023. Thompson played college basketball with the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the National Collegiate Athletics Association from 2011 to 2015.
In his rookie season, he was the Altas’ sixth man, averaging 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.
In 2014, he was named NCAA Season 90 Most Valuable Player.
The native of Padada, Davao Del Sur, is now one of the players of Gilas Pilipinas competing in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 at the Philippine Arena, Smart-Araneta Coliseum, and the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thompson was also a two-time PBA Finals MVP in 2018 and 2021 and PBA Season MVP in 2021.
The Perpetual Altas also retired his no. 6 jersey last February 2023 for his achievements in the field of basketball after being named the PBA MVP and winning seven championships with the Gin Kings.
