Jeff Van Gundy has the Americans at the edge of the World Cup

Jeff Van Gundy has the Americans at the edge of the World Cup

The challenge accepted by Jeff Van Gundy 16 months ago was tough: take a group of G-League players and turn them into a team that would be good enough to win a place at USA Basketball at the Cup. FIBA world of next year.

It was harder than he imagined.

Van Gundy did not have a single team for the World Cup qualifiers. He had five different teams. The alignment of the United States has changed so much from one round to the next that it has had to start from scratch each time. He has succeeded, and the United States will play in Argentina on Thursday night (Manila time) knowing that the task of winning this place in the World Cup is finally at hand.

The winner of Thursday will be assured of a place in the World Cup. The United States and Argentina both have 7-1 records in their group of six nations, and would have three games ahead of the team in fourth place with three games to play. The top three teams in the group have guaranteed places for the World Cup.

"We have learned a lot over the years," Van Gundy said. "You have to be adaptable in all of that, we have had a big group of coaches who have helped us, and it's really the players who are driving it, or you're coming in for the right reasons. We're all volunteers. "

He just did not think there would be so many volunteers.

Of the 12 players that Van Gundy has with him on this trip (Americans play Sunday against Uruguay), only three have participated in any of the previous eight qualifying matches. He has now had 46 different players with him at different points in the qualification, and most of them have played only twice at this stage.

"I was expecting more continuity, no question," Van Gundy said. "Some NBA teams have been incredibly helpful, incredibly helpful, and others less so, some agents have been incredibly helpful, and there are still others, some G League franchises, incredibly useful, incredibly useful, Others less engaged in the process.You somehow know who shares your passion for this quest to qualify you. "

Stockton Kings goaltender Reggie Hearn clearly shares this passion. When the United States calls, he answers.

Hearn is the most decorated player for Americans in this process. He has participated in five of his team's top eight games, is back with the United States for this trip and is assuming his role as an omniscient veteran.

"I think I can kind of give my knowledge and experience to guys to pick up on what the coach says," Hearn said. "I can talk about personal experience and, in terms of familiarity with Jeff, I feel I can help things go a little better because I know what to expect from him and what what he calls to do as a player. "

Hearn's efforts did not go unnoticed. He was announced on Wednesday as the male athlete of the year by USA Basketball, joining a group that previously included Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan and the Olympic teams. of 1992 and 2008.

"Just seeing myself as part of this group is an incredible honor and something that I never thought I could live," said Hearn.

The United States met in Houston before attending some training before flying to Argentina. Players are aware that two wins on this trip – regardless of the result – would qualify for the World Cup qualification.

But there was not a lot of global focus.

"We are just trying to do 2-0," said Hearn.

American plans

The United States used G League players throughout this process as the qualification schedule – according to FIBA's design – was in conflict with the NBA season. If the Americans reach the World Cup, Gregg Popovich will coach the team and his team will be filled by NBA stars.

Already off the hook

There will be 32 nations in the World Cup next year. Europe will send 12 teams, Asia-Oceania and the Americas will each send seven, and Africa will send five. China has automatically secured a place as host of the tournament. Until now, in addition to the Chinese, six nations have qualified: Tunisia, Nigeria, Germany, Greece, the Czech Republic and Lithuania.

Format of qualifiers

This is the fifth of six "windows" of two FIBA ​​qualifying games for this World Cup, the last to be held at the end of February. Many places will come to these games, although several teams are very well placed to win their place in the coming days. They include the United States, France, Spain, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada, Venezuela and Senegal.