United States of Nova: Knicks' Brunson, Nets' Bridges Have 'Big Roles' With Team USA

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is putting metropolitan differences with Brooklyn Nets rep Mikal Bridges aside in an effort to restore Team USA to its former FIBA Basketball World Cup glory.

Villanova basketball has taken over New York City. The country, apparently, is next.

With his roster for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup officially unveiled, Steve Kerr, the head coach in Team USA's effort in the international competition, is set to rely on the efforts of Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. The two previously collaborated at Villanova University, winning two national titles under the guidance of head coach Jay Wright (2016, 2018) and alongside the newest Knick Donte DiVincenzo. 

"I will definitely go into this (competition) with a vision of Jalen Brunson taking on a pretty big role, given the way he plays, his success at the FIBA level in past tournaments,” Kerr said, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. "There’s no question in my mind that Mikal Bridges is (also) going to be a huge factor for us defensively."

Brunson and Bridges, respectively repping the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, are set to temporarily suspend a metropolitan rivalry that has been staged in a quiet manner due to the friendship they established as Wildcats. They'll be joined by yet another fellow former Wildcat, Josh Hart, who was on hand for the 2016 national title victory over North Carolina. Hart, in fact, tried to jokingly lure Bridges over to Manhattan after news of DiVincenzo's signing with the Knicks broke, though the secure, big-money nature of the contract that followed him from Phoenix makes such a union unlikely.

Each came to New York with a good amount of fanfare: Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract last summer while Bridges was the main gain in a trade deadline deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. Both are expected to play a major role in their respective franchise's future. 

Brunson is one of the few members of the current American group with previous experience in international competitions, having played a big role in the gold medal effort in the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Greece. That team also included current NBA reps like Jayson Tatum and Dillon Brooks.

Kerr, currently at the helm of the Golden State Warriors, takes over Team USA head coaching duties from Gregg Popovich. The program is looking to get back to the highest spot on the World Cup podium after they were denied a third consecutive title in China in 2019. 

This year's World Cup will be held between Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines. Team USA will partake in Group C play in Pasay alongside Greece, Jordan, and New Zealand. Their first official game comes against the Tall Blacks of New Zealand on Aug. 26 and the tournament will wrap up in Pasay on Sept. 10.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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