Team USA held a scrimmage last night, and Indiana Pacers’ center Myles Turner got some run on the winning team. Let’s check how he performed on his way to securing a spot in the Top 17 of Team USA’s roster.
As Team USA gears up for the FIBA World Cup, an exhibition matchup was held last night between some of the more senior players on the roster (USA Blue) versus some of the younger guys (Team White). Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner suited up with USA Blue as the team cruised to a 97-78 victory at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
So, how did Myles Turner perform in this game? Well, it’s hard to really give a concrete verdict on this. Despite being one of the best centers on either team, Myles only saw just over 10 minutes of action. Compared to everyone else on USA Blue, he played the 11th most minutes. The leader in minutes for USA Blue was Khris Middleton, who played a shade over 21 minutes, more than a full 11 minutes longer than Myles.
Still, this shortened leash Coach Gregg Popovich had Turner on isn’t necessarily cause for concern in terms of whether or not Myles Turner will make the final roster for Team USA. For example, Thaddeus Young and Bam Adebayo were teammates on USA Blue with Myles, and they both had more minutes. However, these two guys also just got sent home from the team.
Thaddeus Young and Bam Adebayo have been informed tonight that they will not continue onto Los Angeles with @usabasketball, according to Jerry Colangelo
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 10, 2019
It’s possible that Popovich gave these players some more run knowing they’d be sent home later in the evening, so he let them play out their last night with the squad. Regardless, Myles Turner has reportedly survived the next cut of players and is in the Top 17 (only 12 will make the final roster).
The official list of 17 finalists for @usabasketball’s eventual 12-man roster for the @FIBAWC. As @NYTSports reported earlier this week, USAB officials have discussed taking 15 (or so) players to Australia and then making final cuts before the tournament begins Aug. 31 in China pic.twitter.com/1i2KVIzId5
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 10, 2019
It seems Myles Turner has shown coach Popovich and the rest of the staff that he’s worth keeping around a while longer. And with the lack of big-man depth in this Top 17, it’s becoming a safer bet that he’ll be suiting up for the red, white, and blue once the World Cup officially kicks off in China later in the fall.
While his minutes were limited last night, Turner did still showcase some of his talents in this aforementioned scrimmage. He shot 2-for-2 from the field, including a wide-open swish from 3-point range. He also added a couple of rebounds to his stat line.
Clearly, Myles Turner has been impressing the Team USA staff to continue on to the next phase of the FIBA World Cup process. It’s nice to see an Indiana Pacers player get some recognition on a stage like this. We’ll keep you updated on whether or not he ultimately makes the final 12-man rotation, but it’s seeming like more and more of a real possibility at this point.