NBA news: Right now, Bobby Portis is living his dream of representing Team USA at the highest level. The national squad is set to embark on their latest quest for a gold medal in the upcoming FIBA World cup, and the Milwaukee Bucks big man is hoping to make an impact on the squad in whatever way he can.
NBA News: Bobby Portis Got One Vote as ‘Best Player’ on Team USA
Bobby Portis is far from the most high-profile player on the squad. In fact, one could argue that he’s one of the least popular individuals in a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr., Austin Reaves, and Mikal Bridges, to name a few. Nevertheless, at least one player on the team believed that Portis stood out as the “best” or “most impressive” player during Team USA’s recent training camp in Las Vegas:
“(Josh) Hart, (Jalen) Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton each received two votes, while Brandon Ingram, Paolo Banchero, Bobby Portis, Anthony Edwards, and Cade Cunningham, who was on the Select Team, each had their names mentioned once,” wrote Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Portis is obviously no bum, but in terms of star power, he obviously pales in comparison to the other big names on the roster. However, it is clear that he has been doing something right to stand out in this way.
NBA News: Jaren Jackson Gets Most Votes From Peers
As it turns out, though, it was Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. who earned the most votes from his peers in this informal poll. Knicks star Jalen Brunson was one of the players who voted for Jackson, and it is clear that he holds the reigning Defensive Player of th Year in very high regard:
“Jaren, particularly (Saturday), his energy and the way he went to the glass and went to the foul line every other possession,” said Brunson. “He was just really a force (in the Saturday scrimmage against the U.S. Select Team).”
Brunson’s Knicks teammate, Josh Hart, echoed his praise for JJJ:
“I’d say Jaren Jackson, just the way he was bringing energy, toughness,” Hart added.
The same was the case for Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero:
“I thought he was a huge presence,” Banchero concluded.
Whatever the case might be, what you can say for sure is that Team USA is going to cause a lot of problems in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
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