As a member of Team USA’s national sports teams, athletes become more than just competitors. They become representatives of their country, both on and off the court.
The U.S. men’s national basketball team will receive that honorable distinction when they represent their nation at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
On Tuesday, August 19, the team was given perspective on what their athletic services mean. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski and company received the opportunity to meet our nation’s greatest patriots.
In a photo provided by the official NBA Twitter account, Team USA visited West Point.
For Coach K & @USABasketball, day at West Point goes beyond hoops (via @langwhitaker): http://t.co/NIFW2il0AV pic.twitter.com/wqyzWQrJMw
— NBA (@NBA) August 19, 2014
For those unfamiliar, West Point is home to the United States Military Academy.
Always the heavy favorites to win in international basketball, Team USA faces a new challenge in 2014. The host nation of the FIBA World Cup, Spain, has always given the Americans trouble due to their overwhelming size down low.
Between Spain’s home court advantage and a number of key injuries and opt-outs, Team USA is in for an uphill battle. For the first time since the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the Americans could leave a major international basketball competition without a gold medal.
For what it’s worth, Spain won that ’06 crown. It also finished as the runner-up to significantly more talented Team USA squads at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.
If anything is to prepare Team USA for the tough road ahead, it’s visiting the nation’s troops.