Pau Gasol picks five FIBA World Cup stars to beat Team USA / News - Basketnews.com

Pau Gasol selected Rudy Fernandez for his all-star lineup that could defeat Team USA in a hypothetical battle.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Team USA is widely regarded as the most powerful basketball nation on the planet. Despite winning only three out of seven FIBA World Cup competitions in the last 29 years, they remain the team that all others strive to defeat.

Nikola Jokic

Team:Denver NuggetsPosition:C, PFAge:27Height:208 cmWeight:111 kgBirth place:SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

What if international basketball brought its top stars together for the upcoming FIBA World Cup to challenge Team USA?

BasketNews asked Pau Gasol, the new FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador, to pick his ideal lineup for this hypothetical showdown.

"I think there are those three guys that are at the top level internationally, which are Luka (Doncic), Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and Nikola (Jokic). These three guys would undoubtedly be on my team," Gasol responded.

"Now the other two guys have to compliment those three amazing players. I would love to include a Spanish guy in that mix," the 2006 world champion smiled.

"You have to have some glue guys. Guys that don't need the ball as much as these three guys probably do. To me, the guy who comes to my mind is Rudy Fernandez," Gasol made a surprising selection.

"A guy has proven so much and has been such a key contributor to our team doing little things. Making key shots and stealing balls. Competing. Making it very hard for the opponent. Just coming through in big moments. You need those type of guys. And Rudy has done that. I think he's proven and earned that type of recognition. I would get Rudy there," Gasol argued his choice in an interview with BasketNews.

Fernandez, 37, was a key player in Spain's unexpected run to a gold medal in the EuroBasket 2022.

He is expected to be part of the Spanish national team once again as they defend their 2019 FIBA World Cup title. Rudy was also a member of the 2006 championship team.

"The fifth guy... Right now, I'm between probably two players. Maybe (Bojan) Bogdanovic, who's playing really well at this point. He is shooting the ball really well. You always need a great shooter in the way the game is played now," Gasol took us through his decision-making process.

"I'm between him and Markkanen, which is also another great player who's going to be an All-Star this year for the first time," Gasol revealed his next candidate.

"It's a tough call between those two. We need to compliment these other guys. That's how you have to look at it, not just think about the best player. But let's go with Lauri Markkanen. His All-Star recognition. The way he's playing. His youth. I will give him a vote," Gasol completed his lineup.

That would be a formidable lineup, even for the strongest roster that Steve Kerr could assemble for Team USA this year.

"They would have a chance for sure," Gasol loved his Rest of World lineup.

The Spanish basketball icon, Pau Gasol, has been chosen to join forces with Argentine standout Luis Scola as a Global Ambassador for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Following his retirement in 2021, Gasol has already taken on the role of Ambassador for the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission. In addition, Gasol is involved as an advisor, investor, and promoter in various sports and wellness-related initiatives.

The World Cup is set to take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25th to September 10th and will be hosted for the first time by three nations.

Seventeen teams have already secured their spot in the tournament, including Spain, which will be defending its title. These teams are Japan, Philippines, Australia, Canada, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand, Slovenia, and Spain.

Fifteen more teams will qualify during the final qualification window. The draw for the tournament will occur on April 29th, 2023, in Manila, Philippines.

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