OKC Thunder rising stars to help team USA in FIBA World Cup

The OKC Thunder have one of the best young cores in the NBA. After improving their win total from 24 games to 40 wins this season, the Thunder will add two more top-ten picks to the fold. Chet Holmgren is expected to make his long-anticipated debut after being selected 2nd in the 2022 NBA Draft, while Cason Wallace was the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

It is an embarrassment of riches for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have one of the league’s top scorers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams finished runner-up for rookie of the year, Josh Giddey’s second-year improvement, and the aforementioned top picks waiting to make their debut.

The OKC Thunder have seen their rising stars tabbed to Team USA to help prepare for the FIBA World Cup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be well represented in the FIBA World Cup, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort headlining team Canada, Josh Giddey and Thunder newcomer Jack White leading the way for Team Australia, and a high likelihood of Vasilije Micic playing for Team Serbia in the World Cup.

Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will join in on the fun. The OKC Thunder sophomores have been tabbed to Team USA’s select team. The two will participate in Team USA training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning on August 3rd. They will be allowed to travel with the team and could be called into action should an injury replacement be necessary or a veteran need to bow out unexpectedly.

While there is no guarantee of game action for either player, the history of guys being around the stars on Team USA and coming back to the NBA better than ever runs deep. Even if they are not put on the active roster at some point this summer, these are valuable practices and environments to be placed in.