Because It's the World Cup: Knicks' Josh Hart Joins Brunson, Team USA

Josh Hart will join fellow New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson at this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Asia as a late addition to Team USA's roster.

Fourth of July weekend produced some surprise fireworks for New York Knicks fans: first, they added Donte DiVincenzo and now Josh Hart, appropriately enough, will be representing the red, white, and blue. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Hart, back with the Knicks after exercising his $12.9 million player option, will join Team USA's effort at the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in Asia this August. Hart will join fellow Knicks Jalen Brunson, who was named to the team earlier in June.

Both of New York City's NBA teams are well-represented on the Team USA roster: Brunson and Hart will join Brooklyn Nets stars Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson on a group that also includes All-Stars Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, newly-minted Rooke of the Year Paolo Banchero, and former Knick Bobby Portis. Playing with Bridges perhaps allows Hart to fulfill his dream of a reunion with he and Brunson's fellow Villanova alum, whom he (perhaps jokingly) attempted to recruit to the Knicks on Twitter after the DiVincenzo news broke.

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held from Aug, 25 through Sept. 10 between Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines. Team USA is looking to get back on the podium's top spot after finishing seventh in the most recent event in 2019, which was won by Spain. This time around, Team USA will compete in Group C play in the Philippines, going up against Greece, Jordan, and New Zealand.

Their first matchup is scheduled for Aug. 26. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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