Team USA has had an amazing stint so far in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The country is popularly known for producing the world’s best basketball players. And so far, the Americans have always proven it right. Throughout the years the United States has dominated the wooden floor at the world level. There is a major reason why the US is considered to be one of the top teams in the world.
Right now, the United States has five FIBA World Cup championships under its belt. Competing at the world level isn’t an easy task but the Americans have mostly made it seem that way. They are currently headed to the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarter-finals after having a great start to the tournament. The US went undefeated during the exhibition games and topped the Group C charts as well.
On to the next.
🇺🇸 #USABMNT draws 🇮🇹 Italy in the World Cup quarters on Tuesday.#WinForUSA pic.twitter.com/E7ywr6sfpc
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 4, 2023
Unfortunately, it was against the Lithuanians that they experienced their first loss of the tournament. This matchup was their last of the of all group games. Offensively, they happen to be one of the strongest offensive teams around which isn’t something most other squads are known for. Team USA has a higher points-per-game average than their upcoming opponents, Italy. It turns out that Italy has previously suffered the wrath of the USA’s offense as well.
Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade sent the Italians a harsh reminder about Team USA’s antics
20 years ago, the NBA and basketball community welcomed a couple of course-altering athletes. They came in the form of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and a few others. Keep in mind that Team USA already had Kobe Bryant waiting to pounce on opportunities to win. At this point, Team USA was at the top and was considered the clear-cut winner of the 2006 FIBA World Cup (FIBA World Championship).
Anthony and Wade were two of the biggest stars on the stacked roster. The United States was on an impressive run and so was Italy. Towards the end of the group stages, the US and Italy were undefeated. However, what Anthony and Wade had in store for Italy ruined the country’s hopes of making it big. Once again, the duo struck the court with sheer offensive dominance.
Today in 2006 Carmelo Anthony sets the USA scoring rec w/35 vs Italy in the FIBA World Championship.#SchoolinSession pic.twitter.com/lxXHAbbCEb
— Bradley McKee (@Bradley_B_Roll) August 23, 2016
Team USA was led by Anthony who scored 35 points back by Wade’s 26 points. Italy was led by Marco Belinilli, who was on a great stint in his career at that point. He scored 25 points but failed to help the Italians qualify further. Team USA eventually went on to lose at crunch time and get the bronze medal while Spain secured the gold. This also led to the formation of the infamous Redeem Team.