Of the three leaders who make up Team USA’s AmeriCup roster with Norris Cole and Patrick McCaw, he might have had the best chance of ever seeing the NBA again.
Despite these 35 years, the shooting guard could still be of service on outside shooting, he who can boast of having shot 37.3% behind the arc in his career in a league where he has not appeared since June 2019.
Jodie Meeks will therefore have ended his NBA career in style, with a championship title with the Raptors, since after having played 18 G-League games in 2021/2 and a last parenthesis with Team USA for the AmeriCup, he will put a end to his career as a professional player.
“I’m young, but for basketball, I’m a little older”did he declare. “I can still move, I feel like I can still play and I’m here doing it. So my career has been good and this AmeriCup will be the icing on the cake.”
A smooth transition
The veteran fullback has indeed the opportunity to finish well with this first selection for Team USA and the possibility of shining by bringing a title to his country.
“We always want to have a chance to compete in the Olympics, but obviously it’s very difficult to achieve that in the United States, because the level of talent is very high. It’s great for me to participate and it would be special to win a gold medal”.
After the AmeriCup, Jodie Meeks will quickly bounce back since he was hired as assistant coach to Ryan Pannone at Birmingham Squadron, the G-League team of the New Orleans Pelicans. With his profile as a pure shooter, he hopes to be able to pass on his knowledge and experience to the younger generation.
“It’s clear that you want to play as long as possible, but when it’s over, it’s hard to stop suddenly. So you’re going to want to stay in the business, whether it’s on the radio, on TV, as a coach or in the front office. But I felt coaching was my thing because I think I have a lot to give to the younger generation on the mental side of basketball, shooting, defensive coverage, all those types of things.”
Beaten against Mexico in the opening match of the Americaup (73-67), Team USA faces Venezuela today (6:40 p.m. French time).
