Team USA vs. South Sudan: Predicted starting 5 and depth chart (July 20, 2024) | USA Basketball Showcase Game
Team USA and South Sudan take the next stage of their preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics to London. After winning two games in Abu Dhabi, the powerhouse Americans are in the UK for two more tune-up games. Lining up across them on Saturday will be South Sudan, which topped the African zone in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Steve Kerr’s USA team just played its best game this summer against Nikola Jokic's Serbia a few days ago. LeBron James and Co. struggled to finish strong versus Australia but showed much better effort and chemistry in their 105-79 whipping of the Serbs.
After some growing pains, the star-studded group of NBA superstars looks like a well-oiled machine. They’ll be expected to bring that form against the East African team.
While Team USA looked like a juggernaut against Serbia, South Sudan seem to be looking for form. They lost 81-72 to Argentina before edging Portugal 80-72 in Spain. They improved their record to 2-1 after beating Great Britain 84-81 two nights ago.
Team USA vs South Sudan starting 5s and depth charts
Team USA starting 5 and depth chart
Steve Kerr’s guaranteed starters are only LeBron James, Steph Curry and Joel Embiid. He will rotate players for the remaining two spots to complement the trio.
In the win over the Serbians, Kerr inserted Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday to complete his first five. The Golden State Warriors coach will likely change can’t go wrong with whoever he picks but he might go with Anthony Edwards and Bam Adebayo.
The Africans’ size and length might pose a problem so Steve Kerr could try to match that by pairing Adebayo and Embiid to start the game.
Here is Team USA’s depth chart:
South Sudan starting 5 and depth chart
South Sudan could go with the same starting five that led them to the win against Great Britain. Wenyen Gabriel and Carlik Jones, the players with the most NBA experience on the team, are likely to start. 6-foot-6 G Leaguer Marial Shayok, Bal Kuol and Nuni Omot could be Royal Ivey’s choice for tip-off.
Here is South Sudan’s depth chart:
Team USA vs South Sudan: Key matchups
Wenyen Gabriel vs LeBron James
Wenyen Gabriel likely won't start against LeBron James but will have to take on his former LA Lakers teammate at some point. The four-time NBA MVP has nothing but praise for the backup big man and has expressed excitement to play against him. It will be a reunion of sorts, one that will interest basketball fans.
Carlik Jones vs Steph Curry
Carlik Jones was Royal Ivey’s best player during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Jones has played against Steph Curry before but never in international basketball. The African point guard will have a chance to contain the player with the hottest hand in the Americans’ win over Serbia.