USA Basketball on Tuesday released a 12-man lineup for the first two qualifying games ahead of the 2027 FIBA World Cup. The United States will face Nicaragua on Nov. 28 in Managua and again on Dec. 1 in College Park, Georgia.
Roster
Kyle Guy (G)
Brandon Knight (G)
Jaden Shackelford (G)
Javonte Smart (G)
Ryan Woolridge (G)
Pedro Bradshaw (G/F)
Nate Hinton (G/F)
MarJon Beauchamp (F)
Torrey Craig (F)
Kessler Edwards (F)
Garrison Brooks (C)
Jeremiah Tilmon (C)
Former Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas will guide the squad, which consists exclusively of free agents or NBA G League players. Seven members have logged NBA minutes, led by forward Torrey Craig (458 regular-season games) and guard Brandon Knight (451).
Craig appeared for the Bulls and Celtics during the 2024-25 season, while forward Kessler Edwards (40 games with Dallas) and former first-round pick MarJon Beauchamp (35 games with three teams) also suited up in the league last year.
Guards Javonte Smart and Nate Hinton return to the national team setup. Smart collected bronze at the 2025 AmeriCup, and Hinton participated in World Cup and AmeriCup qualifying windows in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
This window is the first of six leading to the 2027 World Cup, which begins Aug. 27, 2027. Additional qualifying rounds are slated for February/March, July, August/September, and November/December of 2026, with the final window in February 2027.
The players chosen for these qualifiers traditionally differ from those who ultimately represent the United States at the World Cup itself, but the games offer emerging talent a chance to secure the nation’s berth in the tournament.
Source: HoopsRumors
