TEAM USA Stumbles to Nigeria

Props to Nigeria for the upset victory over Team USA in the first exhibition game leading into the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Nigeria came into the game as a 30-point underdog but it didn’t much time for Nigeria to find their rhythm and thus came away with the 90-87 win against the USA Olympic team. Lucky for the US of A, this was just an exhibition game. But for Nigeria, this has got to make them feel like Kings of the Court. Team USA coach Gregg Popovich didn’t seem to upset about the loss. I’m sure he wasn’t thrilled but he took a glass half full approach to the situation. He told NBC sports that he was “kinda glad it happened” and that it was better for it to happen during an exhibition game. I can’t argue with that.

But this Nigeria team is also nothing to play with. They scored 20 3’s while also playing some seriously physical game! You know maybe it might have been a mistake for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell to have declined his Olympic invitation.

Who are the TEAM USA Basketball Players for 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Curious to know who is on their way to Tokyo as part of the 12 man squad known as the 2021 Olympic Basketball Team USA?

We have Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), and Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns).

The 2021 Tokyo Basketball Coaching Staff

Led by head coach Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) the 2021 Coaching Staff includes assistant coaches Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), Lloyd Pierce and Jay Wright (Villanova University) and Jerry Colangelo serving as the USA Men’s National Team managing director.

Last night’s exhibition game took place in Las Vegas at The Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.  The schedule for the upcoming games are USA vs Australia on July 12th, USA vs Argentina on July 13th, USA vs Australia again on July 16th, and USA vs. Spain on July 18th. The USA Women’s National Team members arrived at the start of the Olympic Break. They are scheduled to face Australia on July 16TH. They are scheduled to play Nigeria on July 18th. The rescheduled Summer Olympic Games are being held in Tokyo, Japan and the dates are July 23-Aug. 8 2021.