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Team USA 'trying to be better' as it eyes World Cup title
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For Team USA, trying to be better every day is the key to winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Team captain Jalen Brunson said with just around six weeks of preparation before the World Cup here in Manila, they are aware that many of their opponents already have enough experience in their national squads.
"We've been working hard the past couple of weeks and every single day, we try to figure out a way to get better," Brunson said in a press conference on Thursday.
"We know teams here are very experienced, have been playing for a very long time so for us, every time we step on the court, [we ask] how to be better than we were yesterday. That's just been our mindset."
Jalen Brunson talks about their preps ahead of the World Cup #FIBAWC @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/HnfwvuyONd
— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) August 24, 2023
Despite the short preparation time, head coach Steve Kerr is happy with the team's composition and progress ahead of their opener on Saturday against New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"We've had a great couple of weeks in practice. I love coaching these guys, we're a pretty young team but they are hungry and on the rise and we've got a really good group that is enjoying the process together and working hard every day," echoed Kerr.
Coach Steve Kerr looks forward to the #FIBAWC @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/Bbd0kuDZG2
— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) August 24, 2023
For Brunson, however, it should not just stop at being better as they still have their eyes on the prize.
"We have a lot of guys who come from different situations, different sides of basketball but here, egos are left in the door and we all just want to win and that's the most important thing in our minds.
With just two days left before their opening game, Kerr said they have great respect for the Tall Blacks.
"They're very well coached. They play really hard. They make you guard different actions. You have to be really well-prepared to beat them," he added.
After New Zealand, the Americans will face Greece on August 28 and Jordan on the 30th.
The United States has won the FIBA World Cup championship five times. During the 2019 edition, the Americans failed to finish in the podium.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
