Donovan Mitchell: USA will be ready and locked in for Tokyo and next World Cup

BEIJING (China) - Team USA were embattled in a series of setbacks at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, but Donovan Mitchell knows they will come back strong sooner rather than later.

He described how the true character of this team cannot be measured in the end results but in their propensity to rise again despite all the stumbles.

"I'M EXCITED. I KNOW THE GUYS IN THE NBA - WHOEVER GETS CHOSEN TO GO - TEAM USA WILL BE READY."

"If you look at the past two games, the way we played, we were down but we came back," he explained. "That shows what we're made of. Obviously, you want to win, and we take it personally."

Mitchell also knows that putting on the Team USA colors is a distinction most American players will never receive, and even in spite of the ups and downs, there is no experience quite like it.

 
"Coming into this, I didn't know what to expect, and I just tried to do what I knew how," he said. "I tried to improve in certain areas. I knew what to expect from coach Pop, especially defensively. Becoming a leader is also one thing I've worked on. I also loved building relationships with guys throughout the league and seeing how they approach big games, especially those who keep coming with a positive mindset even after we lose."

After ending the USA's World Cup campaign beating Poland, Mitchell reflected on the value of everything that happened to the team, especially for someone like him who has never played for the national team before.

"If you're gonna tell me three years ago before I got to the NBA that I'd play for coach Pop with the players on this team against some of the best players in the world, I wouldn't believe you," he shared.

"For me, this is an amazing experience. Everybody wants to look at the end goal, but when you sit back and think about it, 'I played for Team USA.' I think that in itself is amazing, so yes it was definitely worth it. I'm blessed to have done this. Of course, I'd love to do it again given the opportunity. I love this group."

Mitchell will return home aware that they may not have met everyone else's expectations, but he also comes back with the confidence that USA Basketball will be stronger because of everything they endured.

He knows Team USA will be ready to defend the gold in Tokyo 2020 and reclaim their place at the top of the World Cup when the time comes.

"Guys are going to come back, and we'll be ready and locked in," he declared. "I'm excited. I know the guys in the NBA - whoever gets chosen to go to Tokyo and to the next tournament - Team USA will be ready."

FIBA