FIBA announced Monday that Team USA will play all 2023 Basketball World Cup games in the Philippines. The Asian nation has joined Japan and Indonesia as the 3 host countries for the 2023 World Cup. Grant Hill, director of USA Basketball’s men’s national team, believes this is good for America.
“I’d like to think it works in our favor,” Hill said, according to The Athletic. “I think we have to remember and respect that these players are going through the regular season and moving from city to city, bed to bed, hotel to hotel. It’s a grind. I think once we get there and settle down, we can plant some roots for a couple of weeks. I think it’s something that can work to our advantage.
Team USA made it to the finals of the World Cup, finishing seventh after losing to France in the quarterfinals. The Red, White and Blue previously won the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
For the first time since 2010, the U.S. is ranked second behind Spain in FIBA’s latest power rankings. Although United won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, this was not convincing enough to secure the number one spot.
The draw for the 32-team World Cup will begin on April 29.
