Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma will be the final cut from the USA Basketball roster according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. That will set the roster at 12, whom of which will compete for the gold medal in the FIBA World Cup.
USA Basketball announces that Kyle Kuzma's ankle injury will rule him out of the @FIBAWC and the roster is now set
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2019
The move seems like it was a longtime coming as the Lakers get ready to prepare for a pivotal season. However, Kuzma certainly seems disappointed regardless:
Bummer couldn’t finish my time with @usabasketball but that team will be just fine! Excited to get healthy & back to LA and get ready for the real show get ready??? LA?
— kuz (@kylekuzma) August 25, 2019
With Kuzma heading back to Los Angeles to treat his ankle, which does not appear serious, Team USA is now finalized. Head coach Gregg Popovich will have the following players at his disposal as the team gears up for the tournament.
Kuzma is returning to Los Angeles for treatment and here is your @usabasketball roster for the @FIBAWC:
Harrison Barnes
Jaylen Brown
Joe Harris
Brook Lopez
Khris Middleton
Donovan Mitchell
Mason Plumlee
Marcus Smart
Jayson Tatum
Myles Turner
Kemba Walker
Derrick White— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 24, 2019
This, of course, is a far-cry to the team the USA could ACTUALLY field. And given that, the United States is still clearly one of the favorites to win the gold. However, that feeling could be in jeopardy after the team lost to Australia – for the first time ever. Kuzma did not play in the contest.
