As the roster for Team USA continues to thin out, Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris will have an opportunity to represent in China.
According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris will practice with Team USA in advance of the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
Reynolds also notes that Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox will practice with the national team as well. Both players were originally set to practice with the USA Select Team.
Although Harris is still a long way from making the final roster for the World Cup, he must like his chances at this point. Harris is a pure shooter in every sense of the word.
Since arriving in Brooklyn in 2016, the Virginia Cavaliers product has been one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. He finished with a league-leading 47.4% mark from deep during the 2018-19 season and was instrumental in Brooklyn’s rise to playoff prominence.
Although Harris may not be a household name like others on the Team USA training camp roster, he’s without a doubt the best shooter of the bunch. That skill could be enough to put him over the edge and secure a final roster spot.
Of course, Harris’ presence on the training camp roster is indicative of how many stars have decided against participating in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
James Harden, Anthony Davis, and Bradley Beal, were among the first group to back out. That was followed up by guys like Montrezl Harrell, Julius Randle, and Andre Drummond foregoing the opportunity as well.
Amidst the shakeup, Harris has a unique opportunity to represent his country on the highest international stage outside of the Olympics.
