REGENSBURG (David Hein's Eye on the Future) - USA Basketball made news this past week when it announced that NBA players would not play in the FIBA windows during the season but instead that NBA Development League (D-League) players would likely make up the USA team for qualifiers between 2017 and 2019.

The real news was not that the NBA players wouldn't be available for many of the windows. But it did clarify many people's questions about which players would line up for USA in these games, with some wondering if Americans based abroad would be wearing the red, white and blue.

"We're excited to work with the NBA Development League to field competitive teams for the 2017-19 USA's FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying games," USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said on the USA Basketball website. "This will be an excellent opportunity for NBA D-League players to showcase their talent and experience in meaningful and important international competition while representing the United States."

The D-League president Malcolm Turner was also happy to see his league's players get the chance, saying: "The NBA D-League prides itself on providing athletes with opportunities to develop and compete at a high level. We're excited for representatives from our league to work hand in hand with USA Basketball."

"We're excited to work with the NBA Development League to field competitive teams for the 2017-19 USA's FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying games. This will be an excellent opportunity for NBA D-League players to showcase their talent and experience in meaningful and important international competition while representing the United States."Jim Tooley Jim Tooley

So, now that we know where the players will come from we could also look at what Team USA will look like. Well, that's not quite as easy as it would seem.

The D-League, which will be rebranded next season and called the NBA Gatorade League (or G-League), just completed a strong 2016-17 season with the Toronto 905 winning the title. There was an impressive connection between the NBA and the D-League this season with a record set for unique NBA players assigned at 92 while 199 of 451 (44 percent) of the NBA players on the 2016-17 end-of-regular-season rosters had D-League experience.

All 30 NBA teams ended the season with at least three ex-D-Leaguers on their roster while 17 teams had more than seven players from the minor league.

Those facts make it a bit more difficult to prognosticate who might make up United States' roster for FIBA games. When they get called up to an NBA team, the D-League players are automatically out of the running for national team action.

So, let’s start with two-time D-League First Teamer in Vander Blue. The shooting guard, who was the 2016-17 D-League MVP, is a pure scorer who actually has played for the United States already. The 6ft 4in 1.93m Blue played at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship alongside Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers.

Also on the team could be Kalin Lucas, who has European experience and has been in big games, reaching two NCAA Final Fours, including losing in the 2009 final. Despite his size - 6ft 1in 1.85m - Lucas provides the grit and toughness for which USA is known.

Josh Magette and Ray McCallum are two more excellent point guards who could get the call - though both are a bit undersized at 6ft 1in 1.85m and 6ft 2in 1.88m, respectively.

United States teams definitely need a shooter and that Scott Wood can handle that for sure.

Another trait for USA teams is length and until now this squad is a bit on the short side. Let's add some of that length on the wing in 6ft 7in 2.01m Jalen Jones and 6ft 6in 1.98m Kevin Murphy.

Moving towards the post, there is one veteran and one guy with less big time experience but plenty of talent. Tyler Hansbrough is a household name as a 2009 NCAA champion and seven-year NBA veteran. The 6ft 9in 2.06m power forward is also the ultimate hustler and you know you will get something good out of him. The 6ft 7in 2.01m Jameel Warney meanwhile went undrafted out of small Stonybrook but was a three-time America East Conference Player of the Year and three-time AP Honorable Mention All-American.

Let’s give this team some real strong depth at the center position. The 7ft 0in 2.13m Dakari Johnson was an All D-League First Teamer and also has USA experience as well, teaming up with the likes of Justise Winslow, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2012. The 6ft 11in 2.11m Keith Benson also was on the First Team and won the 2016 D-League title with Sioux Falls Skyforce and also has experience internationally in Italy, Philippines, Belarus, Lithuania and Estonia. And rounding out the team is 6ft 10in 2.08m Eric Moreland, who was the top American in blocks in the D-League with 2.7 swats per game.

So, there you have at least some names who might be wearing USA on their chest during the FIBA windows for qualifiers. Would it be smart to bank on these 12 guys being the final 12-man roster? Probably not. But at least it gives you an idea of what Team USA might look like.

David Hein

FIBA

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