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Reason for Trae Young’s Team USA Snub Revҽaled

It’s unclear why Trae Young wasn’t included on the final roster for Team USA’s 2018 FIBA Basketball World Cup appearance.

The Hawks guard has been recognized as an All-Star thrice and had a stellar 2022–23 campaign with Atlanta. If selected to compete, he would likely rank among the team’s top players.

Gil Arenas spent 11 seasons as a guard in the NBA, and on the Gil’s Arenas podcast, Young discussed his regret at never having the opportunity to play for his country.

“I would love to play with guys and show off my passing and not have to go out and score a lot and just be there if they need me,” Young said. Young added, “I believe that I should be on there.” “I’d be happy to, obviously, I’d love to play, but I respect the OGs and understand you need to take your turn,” Young said.

Despite the obvious slight, one NBA insider has explained why Young wasn’t chosen for the team.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon speculated that his lack of size and reluctance towards getting physical during his stint with the Select Team in 2019 contributed to his not being welcomed back.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective Podcast, “I heard Trae Young did not make a great case for himself during his previous time in the Team USA program.” The question “Are you ever going to go over a bleeping screen?” was reportedly posed to Trae Young at one time.

The point guard can score, as proven by his 26.2 point scoring average from the previous season.

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However, it’s possible that USA head coach Steve Kerr has little interest in including a player who is so dominant with the ball.

Arenas has been quite critical of the United States’ team selections, even going so far as to label them “a sorry аss group.”