USA finalizes roster for Panama and Argentina World Cup Qualifying games

COLORADO SPRINGS (U.S.) - USA Basketball has named its final 12-man roster for the final two qualifying games for the 2019 FIBA World Cup against Panama and Argentina.

With an 8-2 record, the USA have already achieved a berth for this summer's tournament in China but these games are no less important according to head coach Jeff Van Gundy who has helmed the team throughout the qualification schedule.

"Now we want to finish this right," said Van Gundy. "We want to play good basketball. We want to play winning basketball."

Reggie Hearn, Xavier Munford, Cameron Reynolds, and Travis Trice have all featured for the Americans USA in previous qualifying windows. Hearn and Munford were also key players on the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup winning team.

Hearn has been the most consistent player in the WCQ campaign, suiting up in four of the five prior World Cup Qualifying windows. A starter in four of the seven games he has played in, he is averaging 10.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a game. His commitment and success with the national team led to his being honored as USA Basketball’s 2018 Male Athlete of the Year.

We want to play to the standard of USA Basketball and all that means, and play with great pride at wearing that USA across your chest.   - USA Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy

 Munford and Trice have competed on two prior USA World Cup Qualifying teams. Munford returns averaging 13.3 points and 3.8 assists a game in his four World Cup Qualifying games. In his four previous games, Trice has averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 assists a game. Reynolds brings the experience of playing in the November/December 2018 window, which included away games at Argentina and Uruguay.

"It’s obviously helpful to have four players returning who have previous World Cup Qualifying game experience," said Van Gundy. "We look forward to the challenge of playing Panama and Argentina and doing so in Greensboro on our home court and in front of our fans."

 First time call-ups are NBA G League players Josh Adams, Kyle Casey, Chris Chiozza, Charles Cooke, Michael Frazier II, Tanner McGrew,  Chinanu Onuaku, and Stephen Zimmerman.

USA Roster for February WCQ Window

The USA will face Panama (3-6) on February 22 and Argentina (9-1) on February 25. Both games will be held at the home of the NBA G League Greensboro Swarm – the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

The Americans defeated Panama 78-48 in September last year while suffering their second loss – the first was on the road in Mexico (78-70) in June 2018 – against Argentina 80-63 last November 29.

FIBA