Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart are all battling for a spot on Team USA's final roster for the fast-approaching 2019 FIBA World Cup. At the team's first practice in Las Vegas on Monday, it appears Tatum, in particular, made a statement.
For more than a minute straight, nobody on Team USA could stop Jayson Tatum. No matter who was between him and the basket, Tatum had no problem rising up for pure fadeaway jumpers.
In the above clip, teammate Jaylen Brown and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo pose little resistance to Tatum's face-up game.
After the practice ended, Tatum, Brown, Adebayo and De'Aaron Fox had their own 1-on-1 session. Again, Tatum had his way. And again, there wasn't much defense being played.
At one point, Brown sinks a turnaround baseline jumper over Tatum's outstretched arm. Tatum later returns the favor with a few fadeaways from the corner of his own.
With an offensively challenged roster, Team USA might need to lean on Tatum's — and Brown's — ability to create separation and score in the halfcourt. We'll have to wait until August 31 to see them, as well as new teammate Kemba Walker, in live action.
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