Young Pelicans Embrace Team USA Experience

Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones look to gain major confidence by playing against the best.

New Orleans, LA - The old saying experience is the best teacher means that Pelicans forwards Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones are getting a masterclass in basketball. Both New Orleans third-year players embraced the time spent with the USA Men's Select Team. They practiced daily against the USA Men's National Team, preparing them for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Games.

"It's just a blessing being a part of the USA select team. My two years in the NBA have been really fun maneuvering through the ups and downs," Herb Jones told reporters after a recent practice. "I'm going to continue to work and get better."

Anyone who knows Herb Jones knows working won't be a problem for him. Jones is usually the first one practicing and the last one out, something that isn't lost on Coach Willie Green. "Herb Jones!" Green said. "He doesn't go home much. He's in New Orleans every day, every morning — to the point where [David Griffin] and those guys are telling him, 'Herb, you gotta have some balance.'"

Apr 1, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) during warms ups before the game against the LA Clippers at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Murphy III matches his hard work with the expectations he places on himself. "This is something (Team USA select experience) that I wouldn't say I expected. Obviously, I have a lot of high expectations for myself, but I'm just proud of myself and all the hard work I've put in."

Expectations are high for the Pelicans this season. With the emergence of the young core and the return of Zion Williamson, analytics run from NJ.bet point out the success of the Pelicans may hinge on the experience they are getting now.

Both players look to emulate Brandon Ingram, who currently starts for the Men's Nation Team. Ingram was a member of the US Select Team back in 2016, before his rookie season. No doubt the experience gave Ingram a taste of what NBA basketball was all about. By season's end, he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

Ingram may have recalled his experience on the Select Team to speak about the benefits for Jones and Murphy III. "For them to get rewarded brings joy to me," Ingram told reporters. "As much as it's good for them, it's good for our organization and it's good for our team."