The USA Basketball roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup has been finalized after Kyle Kuzma was the last cut after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of an exhibition game against Australia.
USA Basketball announces that Kyle Kuzma's ankle injury will rule him out of the @FIBAWC and the roster is now set
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2019
The 12-man roster has now been set and is highlighted by Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell among others. Many top-names that were invited to participate in the games either declined or withdrew from the team, citing a focus on the upcoming NBA season.
Kuzma is returning to Los Angeles for treatment and here is your @usabasketball roster for the @FIBAWC:
Harrison Barnes
Jaylen Brown
Joe Harris
Brook Lopez
Khris Middleton
Donovan Mitchell
Mason Plumlee
Marcus Smart
Jayson Tatum
Myles Turner
Kemba Walker
Derrick White— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2019
Kuzma played a few good games for Team USA and put up some good looking shots. In the first exhibition game against Australia, Kuzma went 4-5 from the field with 12 points and two rebounds. Against Spain, Kuzma scored seven points, hauled in five rebounds and dished out three assists.
Kuzma now turns his attention to finding his role on the new look Lakers, who recently signed Dwight Howard to a non-guaranteed deal following a season-ending injury for DeMarcus Cousins. The Lakers forward was disappointed he couldn’t participate with the team and represent his country, but is looking forward to the upcoming season.
Bummer couldn’t finish my time with @usabasketball but that team will be just fine! Excited to get healthy & back to LA and get ready for the real show get ready‼️😜 LA📍
— kuz (@kylekuzma) August 25, 2019
Before work for Team USA started, Kuzma explained why he wanted to compete in the FIBA World Cup.
“I’m not going to take for granted the chance to represent my country,” he said. ” I worked hard for this moment. I wasn’t a top recruit or an All-American, so I earned this. … I’ve also heard from some players who say they come back from Team USA more confident and poised and have career years. Hopefully, I can do the same.”
We hope Kuzma can recover quickly from his injury and look forward to seeing him against the Clippers on opening night.
