The United States men’s basketball team alongside coach Steve Kerr and Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra touched down in Manila on Tuesday, August 22, to gear up for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
They received a warm welcome from the local organizing committee as they arrived at the Balabag Ramp at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) via chartered flight from Abu Dhabi.
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The team also shared photos of their arrival on X, formerly Twitter.
📍 Manila 🇵🇭 @FIBAWC
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/9QRioLWLjM
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 22, 2023
As a favored team to win the tournament, Team USA belongs to Group C and is set to open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on August 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena. It will be followed by a match with Greece on August 28 and Jordan on August 30.
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Led by young and rising basketball stars, including Anthony Edwards of Minnesota Timberwolves, Austin Reaves of Los Angeles Lakers, Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana Pacers, Paolo Banchero of Orlando Magic, and Jalen Brunson of New York Knicks, the team will aim to bounce back after placing seventh at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
On X, the team shared photos of their first practice in Manila with the caption, “Movement in Manila!”
Movement in Manila!
🇺🇸 #USABMNT tips off @FIBAWC Group C play on Aug. 26 vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand (8:40 AM ET, ESPN2). pic.twitter.com/6cXXLniQA8
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 22, 2023
Montenegro, Angola, Mexico, Egypt, and Greece were the first to arrive in the country.
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