The United States men's national basketball team has started adapting to their surroundings before the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Team USA held their first practice in the Philippines on Wednesday inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, where they are expected to play all their games in the tournament.
"I think all the guys liked to see the arena, feel the hoops, see the backdrop. It's good to come over here," Team USA head coach Steve Kerr said.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, whom Kerr said is "the guy" for the team, nailed a half-court shot before declaring that the lid on the arena's basket is now off.
Other teams will play some group-stage games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Okinawa, Japan, but the tournament's final rounds will be in Manila.
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Erik Spoelstra opens up about coming home
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who serves Team USA as an assistant coach, expressed his excitement about the tournament being held in the Philippines.
The two-time NBA champion coach, who has Filipino roots, said it was a "pinch me" moment when he learned he was getting a chance to coach in the country.
"The spirit of it, it's hard to explain; I do feel like it's home in a way," the recent NBA Finals runner-up coach said about being in the Philippines.
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