The Team USA “Redeem Team” all gravitated toward Kobe Bryant as the squad’s veteran leader back in 2008. On the 2023 FIBA World Cup squad, there appears to be another one emerging.
Team USA head coach Steve Kerr pegged New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson as the “natural leader” for the current national team roster. Kerr has repeatedly noted Brunson as the team’s leader when speaking to the media. Kerr did so again when asked about leadership on the team Saturday, following Team USA’s second round of scrimmages against the US Select Team in Las Vegas.
“I think Jalen is such a natural leader,” Kerr said, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “Because he’s a point guard, he immediately comes to mind. He’s the one who’s leading the ‘1, 2, 3 USA’ chant. Some guys just, it just comes naturally to them.”
The 26-year-old is still considered a young player by NBA standards. But with half of Team USA’s roster under the age of 25, Brunson is already an elder statesman amongst his peers.
Another indication of Kerr’s trust in Brunson is seen through the lineups that have been deployed against the Select Team. While Kerr has stated that the final starting unit is not yet set, four players remained constant as starters during their 2-day scrimmages: Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
On Day 1, Cam Johnson was Kerr’s fifth starter. But after Team USA got rocked by the Cade Cunningham-led Select Team on Friday, Kerr replaced Johnson with Anthony Edwards. Kerr still kept Brunson ahead of All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton on Saturday.
Team USA has another scheduled scrimmage against Puerto Rico on Monday.
