In 2018, the superstars on Team USA played several epic 1-on-1 games against each other.
- The Team USA roster had a drill that involved the best NBA superstars playing 1-on-1 games
- Some of the best matchups included the likes of Kevin Durant, Paul George, Devin Booker, and Khris Middleton
- Victor Oladipo surprisingly torched a lot of the bigger stars he played against
Not all the superstars that are available for Team USA every year end up playing in various international tournaments. For example, the likes of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Paul George won’t play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
USA Basketball had a minicamp in 2018, with names like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, and Devin Booker all present. And a video of the 1-on-1 drills from that minicamp has resurfaced on social media.
Kevin Durant, who was 29 at the time, had the marquee matchup against 28-year-old Paul George. The game got heated, and the two went at each other, too, with Durant eventually winning 1-on-1.
Some of the other notable matchups included Victor Oladipo going at Paul George, a 21-year-old Devin Booker challenging Khris Middleton, and other exciting matchups, all of which any basketball fan would dream of watching. Kyrie Irving was also involved and was providing some fun commentary on everything that was going on.
Team USA Is A Hotspot For Superstars To Form Relationships That Eventually Lead To Superteams
The concentration of talent at the Team USA minicamp in 2018 shows just how stacked the national team could be if all their players turned up. And when the superstars do turn up, it becomes a hotbed for recruiting, according to Brian Windhorst.
“Team USA has regularly created bonds that have led to things. It’s happening. Lillard befriended or at least deepened his relationship with Bam Adebayo in the month they were together in Japan in 2021,” Windhorst revealed earlier in the year.
He also added, “And in that particular case, during COVID. Nobody was allowed to leave the hotel. Those guys were literally all they could do is be with each other”.
The Team USA roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup later this month has caused some consternation among fans. The big names are missing, but hopefully, young stars like Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and Anthony Edwards can take the next step together.
