USA take on Puerto Rico in first World Cup warmup game in Las Vegas on August 7
LAS VEGAS (USA) - USA's preparations for this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup are going to start with a bang, a game against Puerto Rico on August 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS (USA) - USA's preparations for this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup are going to start with a bang, a game against Puerto Rico on August 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The clash will be important for both countries, which have had some memorable meetings over the years, as they get ready up for the 32-team World Cup that tips off in Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta on August 25.
The 2023 USA Basketball Showcase will tip off in Las Vegas!
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) May 30, 2023
🇺🇸 #USABMNT will take on 🇵🇷 @fbpur in an exhibition at @TMobileArena on August 7. Tickets go on sale at 12 PM ET on June 2. pic.twitter.com/T3VFNkV1Bi
Both USA and Puerto Rico were drawn to play in First Round groups in Manila.
USA have gotten the better of their neighbors in recent times, beating them twice in the Americas Qualifiers for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. USA also edged Puerto Rico in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022, 85-84.
USA beat Puerto Rico, 83-75, in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in the Americas Qualifiers on July 1, 2022
The last time the countries met at the World Cup was in 2006, in Sapporo, Japan. The USA won that Group Phase game as well, 111-100.
Two years before that, however, Puerto Rico stunned the USA on the opening day of the Athens Olympics, 92-73.
"Our preparations for the [FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023] begin in Las Vegas and we are excited to return to a city that regularly and graciously welcomes USA Basketball," said USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley.
"The game at T-Mobile Arena, a first-class venue, will give basketball fans the opportunity to support the U.S. Men's national team before it heads abroad. We are thankful to the Puerto Rican national team for spending a portion of their training window in Las Vegas and look forward to hosting them."
USA will also have warmup games in Spain and Abu Dhabi.
In Malaga, USA play Slovenia on August 12 and Spain the following day.
The 2023 USA Basketball Showcase is headed to Abu Dhabi 🤝 @dctabudhabi
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 8, 2023
We'll see you in August, 🇩🇪 @DBB_Basketball 🇬🇷 @HellenicBF
Then, USA Basketball and DCT Abu Dhabi will jointly host three games. USA play the national teams of Greece and Germany on August 18 and 20, respectively, also with Greece and Germany meeting each other on August 19.
Before the Puerto Rico game, the USA Men's national team will have its training camp in Las Vegas.
Once at the World Cup, USA will play in Group C against Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand.
For a full recap of all preparations game ahead of the World Cup, please check here.
FIBA