Grizzlies big calls out Team USA following FIBA World Cup failure

Despite coming into the 2023 FIBA World Cup as consensus favorites to take home gold, Team USA fell short of even a third-place finish, as they fell in their August 10 bronze matchup against Team Canada 127-118 following former Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks’ historic performance.

With this turnout, it marks the second straight occasion where the United States has come away from the illustrious tournament as a mere also-ran. In fact, since the World Cup’s inaugural run back in 1950, Team USA has only managed to claim five championships, with just two coming since the turn of the century.

What’s perhaps most perplexing about the country’s follies in FIBA play is that they’ve actually proven themselves to be a top-billed organization when it comes to international bouts, particularly on the biggest stage of all with the Olympic games, where they’ve collected 25 gold medals amongst the men’s and women’s teams since the sport was introduced to the global stage back in 1936.

After their recent demise, Canadian-born baller and current Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke voiced his concerns via social media over the seriousness with which the United States prepares for the FIBA World Cup compared to other countries.

Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke calls out Team USA for World Cup failures

"“[I don’t know] the last time the [USA] has taken [FIBA] basketball as seriously as the rest of the world,” Clarke wrote on his Instagram story. “Seems like Olympics matters more in the USA.”"

As noted, the United States failed to earn so much as a top-three finish during the festivities despite rostering a collection of talent many believed would be worthy of bringing home the tournament’s highest honors.

Unfortunately for them — and, sadly, Grizzlies fans — one of the club’s main focal points in NBA All-Star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled mightily as the nation’s primary pivot, as he was a hacking machine on the hardwood (averaged 2.7 could per game) and proved to be severely unproductive in other facets of his generally well-respected game.

The big man would finish off boasting lackluster averages of 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and less than a block per outing while shooting an atrocious 28.6 percent from deep.

After this World Cup debacle, many United States-born superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Jayson Tatum are already rumored to be eyeing a chance to make up for the country’s poor international play this summer by committing to next year’s Summer Olympics, set to be held in Paris, France.

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