Team USA Basketball

Coming off a 98-94 exhibition loss to Australia on Saturday that made international headlines, Team USA needed to reestablish their dominance in a big way heading into the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

An 84-68 thrashing of Canada did just that in a World Cup tune-up.

Jaylen Brown had 19 points, and Myles Turner had a double-double, with Team USA righting their ship on the defensive end and erasing the sour taste of their loss to Australia last week.

The U.S. overwhelmed a Canada team that struggled mightily from the floor, opening up an early lead and carrying a double-digit advantage for a majority of the contest. Canada's Kyle Wiltjer led all scorers with 21 points.

Team USA was coming off their first loss in international competition since 2006.

While this win had its fair share of flaws—Team USA turned the ball over 19 times and knocked down just two threes on 14 attempts—this is a roster in need of adjusted expectations. Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton are the only two All-Stars on the roster. This isn't the world-conquering Redeem Team, its (perhaps better) 2012 sequel or even the dominant 2016 gold-medal team that was clearly gearing up for a transition.

This is a young, (relatively) marginally talented group that's going to have to find ways to win rather than overpowering their opponents with their sheer presence. After a porous defensive effort that saw Patty Mills turn into a 30-point scoring Australian folk hero, coach Gregg Popovich will be pleased by Team USA holding Canada to 32 percent shooting and winning the rebounding edge 55-37.

This was a team built with a defensive presence and team cohesion in mind, and Team USA is probably going to have to win a couple of "ugly" games to survive in the World Cup.

🚫 Myles Turner 🚫

📺: NBA TV | @FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/zbVN6mwhpP

— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 26, 2019

Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell each added 12 points in the winning effort. Turner was dominant on the inside, putting up 10 points and 15 rebounds while acting as a strong defensive presence. The U.S. will need him to continue coming up big because of their lack of defense at the 4 and 5 spots.

Perhaps the most notable takeaway from this game was that the Australian crowd loves Brook Lopez. No, seriously. LOVES him. The Australian crowd went in an uproar every time he was shown on the bench or made his way to the floor—so much so that Popovich played into the crowd noise with the game in hand in the fourth quarter by going over to Lopez and faking out fans who wanted him in the game.

The fans wanted Brook Lopez in the game, so Coach Pop granted them their wish! 😂

📺: NBA TV | @FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/lvIVeAyrBN

— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 26, 2019

Lopez was actually put in the game minutes later, much to the glee of the Aussie crowd.

"What the hell was that all about, I don't understand," Popovich told reporters. "We screwed with it for a while, and we were trying to keep our focus because we don't want to make anything silly, but it got so ridiculous that we succumbed to the crowd. You don't know … I have no idea."

Team USA plays their first real game in Shanghai, China, against the Czech Republic on Sept. 1.

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It’s a special best-of episode of The Full 48 featuring three of Howard Beck’s favorite interviews of the last 12 months including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver who discusses everything from the possible legalization of marijuana use in the league to NBA age limits; Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris who shares the best nicknames he’s heard since growing his beard to the Nets success to the childhood goals that still grace the walls of his old bedroom in his parents’ house; and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who weighs in on the Michael Jordan GOAT debate, LeBron James, and the rebirth of athlete activism.

Team USA announced its roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Saturday, and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker led the way.

Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News tweeted a rundown of the 12-man squad:

To no surprise, Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell makes the official 2019 World Cup roster for Team USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MmwKK3rLuo

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 24, 2019

Team USA brought 13 players to Australia for a trio of exhibition games. Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, who had an ankle injury, was the final cut, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.

The Americans looked good in their first two exhibition games with wins over Spain (in California) and Australia, but they blew a 10-point second half lead and were shocked by the Aussies 98-94 on Saturday. That defeat snapped a 78-game winning streak for American men's senior national teams comprised of NBA players.

With so many top players pulling their names from consideration for Team USA's FIBA World Cup squad, the 2019 team looks far weaker on paper than those in past years.

Mitchell and Walker are the undisputed leaders of the backcourt, but there are concerns beyond them. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown of the Celtics, Derrick White of the San Antonio Spurs and Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets are likely to come off the bench.

Smart and White are dogged defenders, but they have offensive question marks. Harris is the team's top three-point shooter after making an NBA-best 47.4 percent of his attempts from long range last season, but he is one-dimensional.

Brown is an elite athlete and can score in bunches, but he has yet to establish himself as a quality starter in the NBA.

Go up and get it, @FCHWPO! 😱🔨#USABMNT | @FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/WX7PTWIFt1

— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 22, 2019

Team USA's wing situation took a big hit with Kuzma's injury, as Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics and Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings are now the only options.

In the Americans' 102-86 exhibition win over Australia on Thursday, Kuzma scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Without his three-point expertise in the lineup, the onus will be on Middleton, Tatum and Barnes to support Harris and Walker as the team's top long-range marksmen.

Kuz is HOT. 🔥

He's 3/3 from behind the arc for the #USABMNT in Melbourne! @FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/tS2rXPzgvz

— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 22, 2019

Perhaps the weakest part of Team USA's squad is its bigs, which is a group comprised of Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, Bucks center Brook Lopez and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee.

Turner has played well and rebounded effectively during exhibition action, while Lopez and Plumlee haven't played much. Lopez is capable of spreading the floor (2.3 made three-pointers per game last season), while Plumlee is an interior banger who specializes in rebounding.

Team USA's roster has a combined five NBA All-Star Game appearances, and three of them have come courtesy of Walker, which speaks to the lack of top-end talent.

With Serbia being led by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo anchoring Greece, the Americans are far from a lock to win their third consecutive FIBA World Cup.

Team USA's final exhibition tuneup will come Monday against Canada in Sydney before it makes the trip to Shanghai to face the Czech Republic in a World Cup opener Sept. 1.

The United States men's basketball team suffered its first loss while using NBA players in nearly 13 years Saturday morning, as Australia pulled off a 98-94 upset in a FIBA Basketball World Cup warm-up game at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

"They wanted it more than us tonight," Team USA guard Kemba Walker told reporters. "Lesson learned for us."

It marked the end of a 78-game winning streak for the U.S. senior men's national team.

Patty Mills, who plays for U.S. head coach Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, led all scorers with 30 points. Longtime NBA center Andrew Bogut added 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Walker led Team USA with 22 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nYFm1BZB3s

The typically dominant Americans looked vulnerable leading into the World Cup after a mass exodus of superstar-level talent in recent months. The patchwork roster lacks the usual firepower that allowed the country to capture three straight Olympic gold medals.

Team USA, who registered a 90-81 victory over Spain last week and defeated the Aussies 102-86 in their first meeting Thursday, struggled in just about every aspect in the rematch.

The U.S. shot just 44 percent from the field, including 33 percent from three-point range, got outrebounded 41-35 and posted a lackluster 11-10 assist-to-turnover ratio.

"Some of it is expected with a new group that's trying to learn about each other and learn a system," Popovich told reporters. "So it's not surprising. But the Aussies gave us a great lesson as far as where we want to be and how you have to play in this kind of a competition."

https://twitter.com/Bballforeverfb/status/1165153386334785536

The Americans are listed a 4-9 favorite ahead of the tournament, per OddsChecker. The team's loss to Australia (33-1 odds) and general lack of overwhelming performances so far in the exhibition games suggests a gold medal in China is far from guaranteed, though.

Bogut's strong game was the headliner of a terrific performance down low by the Boomers. They shot 65 percent on two-point attempts, highlighting potential problems defensively on the interior for the U.S.

The United States will play a final tune-up game Monday against rival Canada in Sydney before traveling to China. The Americans open the World Cup on Sept. 1 against the Czech Republic.

Kemba Walker, Donovan Mitchell and Marcus Smart weren't named captains of Team USA's FIBA World Cup squad, despite reports they were, per Marc Stein of the New York Times. Instead, head coach Gregg Popovich is leaning on that talented trio for leadership without giving them formalized captaincies.

Per the Associated Press (via ESPN), Walker announced prior to Thursday's exhibition game against Australia the three men would share duties leading the squad.

"I take pride in being a leader and guys looking to me, and I'm here to set the tempo and bring my experience and energy," he said.

Walker and Mitchell have emerged as the two best players for the United States after so many notable stars skipped out on this year's World Cup.

It helps that Walker and Mitchell have reputations as two of the most high-character players in the NBA.

Charlotte Hornets assistant Ronald Nored told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe in July that Walker is "the best guy ever" and "a great teammate in the locker room."

Mitchell told Aaron Folk of UtahJazz.com he's been hanging around Walker a lot during Team USA training camp.

"I talk to Kemba a lot," Mitchell said. "It's great being able to pick his brain, just find ways to be a better point guard, how to get over pick-and-rolls, finding guys that are open. ... I'm just finding ways to better myself and I appreciate that he lets me pick his brain and ask questions."

A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston made the case for Smart to be named the Boston Celtics' team captain: "What will set Smart apart from his teammates this season is what happens inside the locker room or off the floor when the lights, cameras and action of the NBA are nowhere to be found."

Walker's presence with the Celtics leaves head coach Brad Stevens with a lot to think about if he wants to have a team captain.

Popovich will take advantage of what Walker, Smart and Mitchell bring to the table in the team's quest to win a third straight World Cup title.

Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich called Australia a "huge, huge threat" to the favored Americans ahead of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which kicks off Aug. 31 in China.

The Associated Press noted Popovich discussed the Boomers' potential ahead of exhibition games between the teams Thursday and Saturday in Melbourne, Australia.

"They are one of the teams that can win the whole thing, without a doubt. I'm not saying that because I'm here. It's just a fact," he said.

"They've been close for several years, and they are hungry. They are talented. They have the toughness and physicality to go with it. I think they are one of the top contenders without a doubt."

Oddsmakers aren't nearly as bullish on the Aussies' chances.

Australia is listed as a distant sixth choice in the World Cup at 40-1, per Oddschecker. Team USA is the favorite at 2-5, followed by Serbia at 4-1. Greece (13-1), Spain (18-1) and France (30-1) round out the top five heading into the tournament.

The Boomers' starting lineup is filled with NBA players, including Patty Mills, who's coached by Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs. The guard is joined by Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes and Andrew Bogut in the team's projected starting five.

Australia reached the semifinals of the 2016 Summer Olympics, losing to Serbia, and cruised to the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup championship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm8lXgwX2zo

The exhibition games against the United States, which heads into the event well below full strength after a mass exodus of superstars in recent months, will provide a litmus test. Two competitive games would bolster the Aussies as a potential title contender.

Australia is in Group H alongside Canada, Lithuania and Senegal. It will begin World Cup play Sept. 1 against the Canadians.

The U.S. opens its Group E schedule against the Czech Republic on Sept. 1. Japan and Turkey are also in the group.

The United States begins overseas preparation for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Thursday with the first of two exhibition games against Australia. 

A squad depleted by injuries and stars opting out to focus on the 2019 NBA season is down to 13 players for the meeting with the Aussies in Melbourne. 

Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell and Kemba Walker are among the players looking to help the United States create some momentum down under before heading to China to participate in the World Cup, which begins August 31. 

Australia has already named its 12-man roster for the tournament, with Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes headlining the squad. 

                         

USA vs. Australia Information

Date: Thursday, August 22

Start Time: 5:30 a.m. ET 

TV: NBA TV 

Live Stream: NBA.com/NBATV

Odds (via OddsChecker): USA (1/10), Australia (11/2) 

               

Rosters

United States

Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings)

Jaylen Brown  (Boston Celtics) 

Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets) 

Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers)

Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks) 

Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) 

Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz) 

Mason Plumlee (Denver Nuggets) 

Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics) 

Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) 

Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers) 

Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics) 

Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs) 

            

Australia

David Barlow (Melbourne United)

Aron Baynes (Phoenix Suns) 

Andrew Bogut (Sydney Kings, NBL) 

Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Mitch Creek (South East Melbourne Phoenix) 

Cameron Gliddon (Brisbane Bullets) 

Chris Goulding (Melbourne United) 

Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz) 

Nick Kay (Perth Wildcats) 

Jock Landale (Zalgiris Kaunas, Lithuania) 

Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs) 

Nathan Sobey (Brisbane Bullets) 

                 

Preview

Thirteen players made the trip to Australia for the United States, but only 12 of them will end up on the active roster for the World Cup. 

Thursday's matchup in Melbourne is one of three games from August 22-26 that Gregg Popovich's team will play in to prepare for the tournament, where it faces the Czech Republic, Turkey and Japan in Group E. 

In the stateside game versus Spain August 16, Mitchell and Khris Middleton led the USA in the 90-81 win by scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Jayson Tatum and Walker chipped in with 11 each. 

While it appears some stars are more suited to start, Popovich has not settled on which quintet he will put on the floor first, per USA Basketball's official website. 

"We are not exactly sure what the starting lineup will be," Popovich said. "We just don't know." 

Mitchell, Tatum and Walker were the only players on the court for over 20 minutes against Spain, so that might be an indication of how the starting lineup plays out in the coming games. 

Derrick White could turn into one of the top producers off the bench for the United States as one of the few pure ball-handlers on the roster. 

Popovich has witnessed White's growth firsthand with the San Antonio Spurs, and he talked Tuesday about his progression from starting in Division II college basketball to the current spot he is in, per USA Basketball: 

"He's had steady progress, but he is one of those guys, he started out in Division II and ended up playing on our G League team for a couple of years, and he just seemed to get better year-by-year, week-by-week. We brought him on the Select Team, just to scrimmage against the main team, and he played so well that we moved him up. So, he's a heck of a story." 

As for Australia, it carries a few familiar faces on its roster, with Baynes going up against his former Boston teammates Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart and Joe Ingles facing off against Utah Jazz backcourt partner Mitchell. 

Australia has not dealt with as much roster turnover as the USA in recent weeks, but it was forced to add David Barlow, who plays for Melbourne United in the National Basketball League, to replace Jonah Bolden ahead of Thursday's game. 

"It's a dream come true for myself to be able to put myself back in this position," Barlow told ESPN Australia/New Zealand. "When I got the call, it was a fairly emotional time for me." 

Bolden withdrew from the squad for personal reasons, while his Philadelphia teammate Ben Simmons is focusing on the 2019-20 NBA season instead of playing for Australia. 

The Aussies as a whole provide the United States with stiff competition ahead of the World Cup, where they face a tough Group H with Canada, Senegal and Lithuania. 

Popovich believes Australia is one of the top contenders to take home the World Cup title, which was won by the United States in 2010 and 2014. 

"Huge, huge threat. They are one of the teams that can win the whole thing, without a doubt. I'm not saying that because I'm here. It's just a fact. They've been close for several years, and they are hungry. They are talented. Coach [Andrej] Lemanis does a good job, and they are a team. They are together. They know what they are doing. They execute really well, so that's what it takes. They have the toughness and physicality to go with it. I think they are one of the top contenders without a doubt." 

After Thursday, the USA will square off against Australia once more Saturday in Melbourne before heading to Sydney to face Canada in its final exhibition leading up to the World Cup. 

               

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from USA Basketball

Donovan Mitchell scored 13 points, Khris Middleton added 12 and Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum each contributed 11 as Team USA defeated Spain 90-81 in a tune-up prior to the FIBA World Cup.

Walker added eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. Tatum had five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Marc Gasol had 19 points, four boards and two blocks for Spain, and Ricky Rubio pitched in 16 points, seven assists and five steals. Sergio Llull contributed 11 points and six dimes.

Team USA's red-hot shooting at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California led to them knocking down 54.8 percent of their field goals.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN gave due credit for their early offensive performance:

Fun game underway between USA and Spain. US players came out with urgency and showing they don't lack anything in the way of skill with their ball-movement, perimeter shooting and ability to get good looks early in the clock. Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton have been awesome.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 17, 2019

The Americans attacked everywhere on the court in a variety of ways.

Walker went coast-to-coast, used a hesitation move and put home an easy two:

Kemba Walker hesitates baseline to get @usabasketball on the board! #USABMNT #USAGotGame

🇺🇸 vs. 🇪🇸
📺: @NBATV
📱💻: https://t.co/gWSXqaO9Vj pic.twitter.com/IGA4eCNVL6

— NBA (@NBA) August 17, 2019

Mitchell and Tatum also both sliced into the lane for hammer jams:

Donovan Mitchell attacks and TAKES FLIGHT for @usabasketball! #USABMNT

📺: @NBATV
📱💻: https://t.co/gWSXqaO9Vj pic.twitter.com/fDmCCycEdC

— NBA (@NBA) August 17, 2019

Jayson Tatum turns the corner and drops the HAMMER on @NBATV/@Twitch! 🇺🇸😤#USABMNT #USAGotGame pic.twitter.com/p5YlZTQEz0

— NBA (@NBA) August 17, 2019

And the team hit 11 of 19 three-pointers, with Middleton, Tatum and Mitchell each netting a pair.

The USA also grabbed more than twice as many boards, winning the battle on the glass 42-20.

On the flip side, the Americans were at times careless with the ball, committing 23 turnovers. John Schuhmann of NBA.com noted a particularly rough stretch in the early third quarter:

6 turnovers on USA's first 9 possessions of the 3rd quarter.

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) August 17, 2019

As for Spain, Gasol led all scorers thanks to his efficient 7-of-13 performance. Rubio's all-around effort on both ends was impressive. This fallaway jumper plus the foul may have been his most impressive play:

🇪🇸 @rickyrubio9 with the @BaloncestoESP bucket, plus the foul! pic.twitter.com/rH7oWRuiM9

— NBA (@NBA) August 17, 2019

However, the USA proved too tough and cruised to the nine-point win. Givony provided his closing thoughts:

Good performance from US taking down Spain 90-81. Coaching staff went deep into the bench but Kemba Walker looks like an absolute monster in int'l basketball and US has a great core with him, Donovan Mitchell and Khris Middleton. Turnovers the main thing to clean up in short term https://t.co/ha1vNIskV6

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 17, 2019

The Americans now must cut their roster down from 14 to 12 prior to FIBA World Cup play.

According to head coach Gregg Popovich, all 14 remaining finalists are heading to Australia on the flight tomorrow.

— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) August 17, 2019

Schuhmann provided an educated guess regarding players who might be on the bubble: 

My best guess (if Smart is healthy) is that there's 1 roster spot for either Harris or White & that there are 3 spots for Kuzma, Lopez, Plumlee & Turner.

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) August 16, 2019

Team USA will train in Australia and China before tipping off their World Cup slate against the Czech Republic on Sept. 1. The Americans also play Turkey and Japan as part of Group E play.

Spain will open its World Cup slate on Aug. 31 against Tunisia.

When Gregg Popovich failed to make the United States' roster for the 1972 Olympics, it was a disappointment to say the least.

Then 23 years old, the former Air Force guard knew only one way to cope: by partying.

Popovich revealed on Thursday that he and his teammates on the alternate team "partied our ass off" after failing to make the senior squad:

USA Basketball coach Gregg Popovich on being cut from 1972 Olympic team: “I was devastated. Anybody would be. They put me on alternate team, we went to Brazil & Argentina and partied out a—es off. I was young and foolish.” pic.twitter.com/hxLJHNcCYB

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 15, 2019

Team USA wound up losing to the Soviet Union 51-50 in controversial fashion.

Now the head coach of USA Basketball, Popovich will have the opportunity to lead the program to gold at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, which will be held in China from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15.

PJ Tucker is downplaying Team USA's 36-17 scrimmage loss to the Select Team on Wednesday.

"Nobody gave the whole perspective of what happened," Tucker said Thursday, according to the New York Times' Marc Stein. "They just threw the score up and said, 'They lost.' It was two quarters after we'd been playing two hours. We didn't play a game. That was two quarters of practice and whatever."

This team defeated Team USA 36-17 in a scrimmage today:

➖ Justin Anderson
➖ Chris Chiozza
➖ Scottie Hopson
➖ DaQuan Jeffries
➖ John Jenkins
➖ Yante Maten
➖ Ben Moore
➖ Chinanu Onuaku
➖ Chasson Randle
➖ Travis Trice
➖ Travis Wear pic.twitter.com/zm3jElMFWL

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) August 14, 2019

Whether the matchup was a full game or two quarters, the poor showing certainly won't help improve the cynicism that has surrounded this roster in the lead to the FIBA World Cup. 

After stars such as Anthony Davis, James Harden, Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and many more—including most recently Kyle Lowry and Marvin Bagley III—decided to withdraw their names from consideration, Team USA pivoted to a much younger and relatively less experienced group. 

As a result, expectations have receded. CBS Sports' Michael Kaskey-Blomain compared this year's FIBA roster to 2002's, which failed to medal.

"The 2002 team is probably the closest comparison, roster-wise, to the 2019 team," he wrote. "There's talent on both teams, but both lack the superstar-level players that the other iterations had at their disposal." 

Kemba Walker addressed the negative outside noise while speaking with reporters from Team USA training camp Aug. 6.

"This is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of us," the 29-year-old Boston Celtics point guard said. "I think a lot of us are happy those guys pulled out because this is our chance. It's our chance to get on the big stage and showcase our talent. A chance for us to do something new. It'll be a new-look team. Everybody is kind of doubting us, but I think we're hungry."

The senior team's recent embarrassment could serve as an additional chip on the team's shoulder.

Head coach Gregg Popovich will finalize his 12-man roster for the World Cup on Aug. 17. For now, the following players are in camp: Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, De'Aaron Fox, Joe Harris, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Tucker, Myles Turner, Walker and Derrick White.

Team USA is scheduled to play an exhibition against Spain on Friday ahead of the FIBA World Cup, which begins on Aug. 31 in China. 

Team USA is expected to fare well in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup, but it will have to compete for the championship without one of its top guards.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who was on USA's roster, won't be participating because he's still recovering from right thumb surgery. But Team USA still has some of the best players in the tournament, including some who should step up to fill Lowry's role.

The FIBA World Cup doesn't begin until Aug. 31, but Team USA has four exhibition games to play before then. After an intrasquad scrimmage last week, Team USA will face Spain on Friday at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Here's everything you need to know heading into that exhibition matchup.

      

Exhibition Information

Date: Friday, Aug. 16

Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV: NBA TV

Live Stream: NBA.com/NBATV

       

Rosters

USA

Harrison Barnes, forward (Sacramento Kings)

Jaylen Brown, forward (Boston Celtics)

De'Aaron Fox, guard (Sacramento Kings)

Joe Harris, guard (Brooklyn Nets)

Kyle Kuzma, forward (Los Angeles Lakers)

Brook Lopez, center (Milwaukee Bucks)

Khris Middleton, forward (Milwaukee Bucks)

Donovan Mitchell, guard (Utah Jazz)

Mason Plumlee, center (Denver Nuggets)

Marcus Smart, guard (Boston Celtics)

Jayson Tatum, forward (Boston Celtics)

P.J. Tucker, forward (Houston Rockets)

Myles Turner, center (Indiana Pacers)

Kemba Walker, guard (Boston Celtics)

Derrick White, guard (San Antonio Spurs)

      

Spain

Javier Beiran, forward

Victor Claver, forward

Quino Colom, guard

Ilimane Diop, center

Jaime Fernandez, guard

Rudy Fernandez, forward

Marc Gasol, center (Toronto Raptors)

Juan Hernangomez, forward (Denver Nuggets)

Willy Hernangomez, center (Charlotte Hornets)

Sergio Llull, guard

Pierre Oriola, forward

Xavier Rabaseda, forward

Pau Ribas, guard

Ricky Rubio, guard (Phoenix Suns)

        

Preview

There are currently 14 players on both the USA and Spain rosters for this exhibition game, but soon, they'll have to be trimmed to 12. That deadline comes Saturday, a day after this contest.

One player who could perhaps step up and help fill the void of Kyle Lowry is De'Aaron Fox, who is playing for Team USA ahead of his third year in the NBA. The 21-year-old Sacramento Kings guard is quickly making a good impression on his teammates.

"Oh, my goodness," Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker said, according to ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk. "He is super fast. His quickness is crazy. His end-to-end speed is ridiculous. ... That's scary if he's gotten faster. The thing about him is he's fast but really under control."

That hasn't been the only thing that Walker likes about Fox.

"What impressed me the most is probably his shooting," Walker said, per Youngmisuk. "He has really been knocking it down. That is what is going to take him to that next level. Like for myself entering the league, the next step for me was my jump shot. That is what helped me get to the next level."

While Fox is one of many talented players on USA's roster, there is some concern heading into the FIBA World Cup, as some of the top USA players opted not to participate, such as Anthony Davis, James Harden and others.

Also, Team USA didn't look great during a scrimmage at practice on Tuesday, as it lost to the USA Select Team, which featured numerous G League players.

However, USA should be playing better by the time it opens the FIBA World Cup against the Czech Republic on Sept. 1.

This exhibition against Spain should be a solid test, as Spain has traditionally been one of the better teams in the World Cup. USA won the last two World Cups (2010 and 2014), while Spain won the last one before that in 2006.