This week, Team USA revealed their complete 12-man roster (in alphabetical order) for the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: Delaware Blue Coats forward Malcolm Hill, South Bay Lakers swingman Tevian Jones, Santa Cruz Warriors guard Taevion Kinsey, 2011 No. 8 pick Brandon Knight, Brisbane Bullets guard Dakota Mathias, Austin Spurs guard Elfrid Payton, Raptors 905 forward David Roddy, 2021 No. 32 pick Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Valley Suns guard Jaden Shackelford, Brisbane Bullets forward Terry Taylor, Wisconsin Herd center Jeremiah Tilmon, and 2020 No. 2 pick James Wiseman.
The FIBA World Cup itself is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2027.
Team USA’s Lottery Pick-Laden FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Roster
As former lottery picks in the NBA Draft, the trio of Knight, Payton and Wiseman will draw the most attention from NBA fans.
Knight, who last played for the BSN’s Capitanes de Arecibo, averaged 19.0 points and 5.5 assists per game in 2024-25. Payton, who recorded a 21-assist game with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, averages 5.8 assists per game for the Spurs. Wiseman, who was gathering momentum prior to tearing his Achilles, has career averages of 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
With Wiseman considered a bust (that is, a player that didn’t live up to their pre-draft hype), trolls will definitely be waiting for him under the bridge. As a result, it’s fair to say that he has more pressure to play well than any of his teammates. He isn’t the only one that’ll be trying to prove himself though.
Chasing the Light at the End of the Tunnel
Seven of Team USA’s starters are one of the NBA’s G League teams, trying to get a call-up to a parent club.
Payton and Roddy, the latter of whom being a popular draft prospect at Colorado State, definitely belong to that group. In fact, not only did Payton spend time on an NBA roster last season, but Roddy and Robinson-Earl did too. Roddy appeared in 33 games split between the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets. Robinson-Earl was on the Pelicans’ roster throughout 2024-25. Yet, he’s been forced to sign 10-day contracts (with the Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks) to remain around the NBA ecosystem.
Knight belongs in a slightly different category. It’s been three-plus seasons since he was in the NBA in any capacity. However, the fact he never officially retired speaks for itself. He’s likely been holding out hope that his agent can connect him with an interested or intrigued NBA team.
What’s Next for Team USA’s World Cup Qualifying Team
In November’s World Cup Qualifying Window, Team USA played two games against Nicaragua, winning both. During the second window, the U.S. will face the Dominican Republic (Feb. 26) and Mexico (March 1) at home. Then, the U.S. men’s national team will play them on their turf on July 3 and July 6, 2026, respectively. For Windows 4-6, the current groups will be rearranged.
Former NBA head coach Stephen Silas will be manning the sidelines for the U.S. side in February, assisted by Patrick Mutombo, Marlon Garnett and Clay Moser. Training camp will take place from Feb. 20-25.
© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images