Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry said a youthful lineup would not hurt US hopes of earning a first FIBA World Championship title in 16 years.
With Houston Rockets All-star center Yao Ming only just recovering from a serious foot injury, his national team continues to struggle to find form ahead of the FIBA World Championship of basketball that tips off in Turkey on Saturday.
Despite few big names and little size and experience, the United States is still tipped to win the FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey.
The overwhelming success of three-on-three basketball at the inaugural Youth Games is a strong enough argument for both versions of the discipline to be included at future Olympics, according to the sport's organisers.
With Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the gold-winning "redeemed dream team" at the 2008 Olympics taking this summer off, the talent and leadership void will be filled by the guys with the biggest gifts and smallest ego in the undersized US roster for the Turkey world basketball championship.
Playing their first exhibition game prior to the start of the Basketball World Championship at the end of the month, a tired-looking Team China was routed 86-62 by host Canada in Vancouver Tuesday night.