Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, Thomas Walkup and Kendrick Perry. Three players who, along with Jordan, Greece and Montenegro, have faced or will face TeamUSA during this world Cupeven though they are… Americans by birth.
A paradox made possible by FIBA regulations which, let us remember, allow each national team to have a naturalized player in its ranks.
In the American camp, and contrary to what has been said in the Angolan camp, these stories of naturalization are in any case not a problem, as underlined by Steve Kerr.
” I don’t mind at all, I think it’s a great opportunity for these guys to play in FIBA basketball. Almost every team we’ve played against has an American player in their squad, that’s FIBA rules and that’s fine with us. », react to this the coach of UNITED STATES.
” These are guys you probably wouldn’t see in the US roster… »
A point of view shared by some members of Team USA, also questioned on this subject.
” It’s a very different feeling and surely something very cool. It’s great to see them representing different countries and showing different kinds of pride », judge for example Mikal Bridges.
” That’s cool, because these are guys you probably wouldn’t see in the US roster. “, adds on his side Tyrese Haliburton. “ Then some of these guys already have ties to the country, like [Thomas] Walkup with Greece, [Kendrick] Perry with Montenegro or [Rondae] Hollis-Jefferson with Jordan (sic). I also think it’s cool for them to play internationally and be influential for other countries. […] It’s cool when Americans get these kinds of opportunities and find ways to showcase their talent internationally. »
So far, and while waiting to face Montenegro on Friday (and then Lithuania on Sunday), the United States have had no trouble getting rid of Greece and Jordan (as well as New Zealand ).
