NBA news: Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis is not exactly the biggest name in Team USA’s star-studded squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup later this month. In a roster that is headlined by the likes of Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton, to name a few, some might consider Portis as a bit of an odd man out. Be that as it may, there’s no denying that the veteran big man will still play a key role for the squad in their quest to win a gold medal — be it on or off the court.
NBA News: Bobby Portis Looks Back on Team USA Journey
In a recent interview, Portis looked back at his journey from being a top NBA prospect as a kid watching the earlier iterations of the national team, to now actually wearing the Team USA jersey to represent the United States at the international level:
“It was the LeBron James Youth Academy. We kinda go there every summer being the top players in the nation,” Portis said. “Then they say we’re going to the (Team USA) Camp. We went to the USA Camp, we see all the stars. All the guys, Kyrie (Irving), Blake Griffin — everybody that we always dreamed of. … Now we reppin’ the USA. That’s crazy.”
Bobby Portis recalls seeing @usabasketball in 2012 as a high-schooler! #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/2YiNMqvOSQ
— NBA (@NBA) August 3, 2023
Portis has been through a lot in his NBA career, and at this point, he’s clearly relishing the opportunity and the honor to play for Team USA.
NBA News: Team USA to Battle Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece in Group Stage
The FIBA World Cup is set to tip off on August 25th. Team USA is in Group C, where they will face off against Jordan, New Zealand, and Greece. It would have been great to see Portis go up against his Bucks teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo when Team USA and Greece take the court, but at this point, there’s no guarantee that the former back-to-back MVP will be available for the tournament. Giannis is still recovering from minor knee surgery earlier this summer, and there’s a big chance that he will end up sitting out the tournament altogether.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
