Play hard, play fast and make an impact on both ends of the floor. That seems to be the mantra of Team USA this summer and a trio of Sacramento Kings followed these objectives during Friday's intersquad matchup in Las Vegas.
De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes both came off the bench for Team Blue and second year big man Marvin Bagley started at center for Team White. All three played well enough to get an invitation to the second week of Team USA training camp next week in Los Angeles.
Fox was a difference maker, scoring eight points on 4-of-4 shooting in the first quarter. He was a defensive standout in his first stint and helped change the momentum of the game in Team Blue's favor.
"I feel like De'Aaron Fox is going to make the team," analyst Greg Anthony said during the telecast. "He has been as impressive as any guard here."
Fox sat for a long stretch in the second half as Gregg Popovich tried different combinations on the court, but he returned midway through the fourth quarter.
Sacramento's starting point guard finished the night with 12 points on 6-of-9 from the field. He added three rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in 15 minutes of action.
"There's really no answer for that kind of speed in the open floor," Anthony added late in the game as Fox cut through the Select Team defense.
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Word around camp was that no one could stay in front of Fox during the week of training. That was on display Friday evening in Las Vegas. He blew past his defender on multiple possessions and most of his points came at the rim.
According to a league source, Fox already received an invitation to the second week of training camp and he is an extremely strong contender to make the national team that will play later this month at the FIBA World Cup in China.
Barnes is considered a strong contender for the team as well. A long time veteran of the national team program, the versatile forward is one of the senior members of the team.
He didn't play big minutes against the Select Team, but the coaching staff is extremely familiar with his play. He finished the evening with five points and four rebounds in 14 minutes.
In his first appearance with the national program since his freshman year in high school, Bagley has made a huge impact. He started at the center position for Team White and was active during his time on the court.
Following the game, Jerry Colangelo told media members that Bagley, along with San Antonio's Derrick White, had both been added to the roster that will compete for a roster spot in Los Angeles next week.
Derrick White and Marvin Bagley WILL continue onto Los Angeles with @usabasketball in those spots, Colangelo announced— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 10, 2019
Bagley struggled with his shot, but still managed to score eight points and grab three rebounds in 17 minutes for the Select Team. He's need to continue to make strides if he hopes to make the traveling team, but the 20-year-old has a unique skill set that might play well in international play.
The players will take the weekend off before reconvening Tuesday at the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo. They'll practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before hosting Spain in a friendly Friday at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Following the game against Spain, the roster will likely be paired down once again. Bam Adebayo and Thaddeus Young were both informed that they would not make the trip to LA. Kyle Lowry and Marcus Smart are both injured, but remain on the 17 man roster as of now.
Head coach Gregg Popovich has until 48 hours before the Sept. 1 matchup against the Czech Republic to set his 12-man roster, although it's likely they will make final cuts before then.
