Image: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA is gearing up for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will be here before you know it. The World Cup is set to begin on Aug. 25, but there will be a few games prior. For example, USA played Puerto Rico on Monday. USA won that game 117-74. The game started off slow for Team USA, and at the end of the first half, they held a 50-43 lead. However, USA managed to outscore Puerto Rico 34-18 in the third quarter and 33-13 in the fourth.

The team played well in the second half, and showed what they are capable of. And with a young, athletic roster, Team USA could do great things. Here are five players to keep an eye on during the World Cup.

1.) Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards is a guard/forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was the No. 1 pick of the 2020, and since then, he has made a name for himself. Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals in the 2022-23 season. He also went on to become an All-Star this year.

Edwards is an athletic, charismatic star whose game can reach new heights. The World Cup is a great opportunity to improve his game and carry that momentum into the regular season. Edwards played well in the game against Puerto Rico, as he finished the game with 15 points, four rebounds and four steals. If Edwards is effective on both ends of the floor (offense and defense), Team USA has a great chance of winning.

2.) Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson is a guard for the New York Knicks. He helped the Knicks reach the second round of the playoffs, and now, they are in a better position than ever to become a legitimate contender. In his first season with the Knicks (as he signed a four-year, $104 million deal last summer), Brunson averaged 24 points and 6.2 assists. He was a leader that managed to score when it was necessary, but made sure to keep his teammates involved. He was the guard the Knicks have wanted for quite some time.

Brunson finished Monday’s game with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He is a skilled guard that could be one of Team USA’s leaders. And he will be more than willing to take on that role.

3.) Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges is the young star of the Brooklyn Nets. He joined the Nets in February (this season), when the Nets traded Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. Bridges played well for the Nets and took his game to another level. He ended up averaging 26.1 points and 4.5 rebounds (both career highs) and in the playoffs, he averaged 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and shot 40 percent from 3-point range.

Bridges finished Monday’s game with 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. And with his game improving (and a new role in Brooklyn), Bridges could be one of Team USA’s key players.

4.) Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged a career high three blocks this season, and gave several teams problems on the defensive end. Basically, he is called the “Block Panther” for a reason.

Jackson also had a good season all around, as he averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds (career highs as well). Jackson is one of the Memphis Grizzlies’ focal points on offense, and with Ja Morant’s suspension, Jackson could be their go-to guy. Jackson played well on Monday with 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Jackson will be a defensive anchor for Team USA, and while he won’t be their focal point on offense, he will put up numbers when necessary.

5.) Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram is an exceptional scorer that plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. His stats improve nearly every season, and this year, he averaged 24.7 points and 5.8 assists. The former Most Improved Player had a solid game against Puerto Rico, as he did a bit of everything. He finished with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He won’t be the focal point for Team USA but like Jackson, he will score when it is needed.

Team USA’s first World Cup game will be on Aug. 26 against New Zealand. Until then, they have Showcase games against Slovenia, Spain, Greece and Germany. This USA roster is a fairly young roster, but they are also extremely talented. So, it will be interesting to see how they perform.