WASHINGTON (AFP) – Chicago’s Thaddeus Young, New York’s Julius Randle and Denver’s Mason Plumlee were among six players added Thursday to the United States team of NBA stars for the Basketball World Cup.
The additions announced by US national team managing director Jerry Colangelo also included Boston’s Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown and Montrezl Harrell of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The newcomers replace nine players who have withdrawn from consideration for the team coached by Gregg Popovich that will travel to China in quest of a third consecutive crown for the Americans in the global showdown.
The absentees include NBA scoring leader James Harden of Houston, Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland’s Kevin Love, Denver’s Paul Millsap, Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris, Houston’s Eric Gordon and Washington’s Bradley Beal.
