Another day, another historic milestone for Abu Dhabi. The USA Men’s Basketball (USAB)national team completed their first practice in the UAE capital today ahead of the inaugural USABasketball Showcase as part of International Basketball Week, which starts this Thursday, August 17, at Etihad Arena.
Taking to the court at New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus, the USAB National Team commenced a two-hour training session with various drills including shooting and layup practice after arriving from Malaga, Spain, late last night. Speaking about his squad’s fitness levels, Steve Kerr, the country’s decorated head coach, said: “Today training was all about breaking a sweat; getting accustomed to the time-zone and atmosphere.”
Kerr, a nine-time NBA champion, added: “I want to add to the foundation of what we’ve done over the past few exhibition matches. Everything we’ve done offensively and defensively, now we’ve got to layer it and, execution-wise, we have to be better at what we’re doing in preparation for the FIBA World Cup.”
The introduction of International Basketball Week, along with the return of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023, presented by AQD, is a further example of the significant partnerships between the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi, and key strategic stakeholders such as the National Basketball Association. Hosting major international events in the capital underlines the emirate’s impressive commitment to sports and entertainment, with the aim of increasing interest in both sectors and positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading go-to destination for tourism.
The USAB team, who face Greece and Germany in the UAE,are excited about their first appearance in the UAE, a continuation of a preparation camp that started with an exhibition against Puerto Rico in Las Vegas before moving to Malaga where they faced Slovenia and Spain. From Abu Dhabi, they will head to East Asia to start their FIBA World Cup campaign and Brandon Ingram, the Phoenix forward who was first called up to the USAB NT in 2020, said: “Bringing basketball to the UAE brings joy – and people – together. Basketball is basketball, and playing here in the region just shows how much everyone is connected, both players and fans.”
Grant Hill, Managing Director of the USA National Team, added: “Being in Abu Dhabi is great. I had the opportunity to be here last year for the NBA and was really surprised at the appetite for basketball. As someone who represents NBA and USAB, to grow the game in this region is extremely exciting.I think what the UAE is doing by bringing these exhibitions to the region is fantastic and we’ll definitely see more of the NBA and Team USA enjoying the culture and city of Abu Dhabi.”
Kerr concurred, revealing he is already lining up a post-tournament tour of one of the emirate’s most famous attractions. “I’ve never been here before and the day after our last game we have some time, so I’d like to take the team to the Grand Mosque,” he said. “I have to go there –it looks amazing.”
International Basketball Week tips off Thursday 17 with Lebanon versus Egypt.Team USA will begin their showcase the following day against Greece.
