Prior to entering training camp with the Milwaukee Bucks, Travis Trice will have the opportunity to fight for a place in the USA Basketball squad.
Training camp invites have been kind to Travis Trice this summer. First, he signed a deal to join the Milwaukee Bucks for their preparations heading into the new season, and on Monday it was revealed he’ll be a part of another training camp even before he meets up with his NBA teammates.
Trice was one of 14 players named to attend a USA Basketball training camp, starting from September 6, as Jeff Van Gundy begins preparations for the team’s latest batch of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
The US will face Uruguay in Las Vegas on September 14 and Panama in Panama City on September 17, with the 12-man squad from those two games coming from a narrowed down selection of the training camp attendees.
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The USA finished the first qualifying round with a record of 5-1, thanks in large part to strong performances from former Buck and then Herd standout Xavier Munford. Munford’s exclusion from this squad is a little surprising, yet it could very well be tied to his uncertain future following the Bucks’ decision to go in a different direction with their two-way contracts.
Heading into the second stage, the US are paired in a group with Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Mexico and Puerto Rico, with three teams guaranteed to advance to the World Cup.
Speaking of the challenge ahead in the press release accompanying the squad announcement, Van Gundy said:
"“With our September second-round games marking the start of the most critical part of the World Cup Qualifying, I think it is imperative for us to look for players who possess mental fortitude, who are tough, and who have experience. All of our second-round games are going to be very, very difficult and competitive battles. Argentina, Panama and Uruguay are all really good and well coached.”"
Up until this point, Van Gundy’s squads have been comprised almost entirely of players from the G League, yet the offseason affords the chance for him to also select a handful of young fringe players from around the NBA on this occasion too.
That currently includes Trice, although it remains most likely that after training camp wraps up he’ll spend next season with the Wisconsin Herd, considering the Oshkosh team’s recent trade to acquire his returning rights.
After a strong Summer League showing, at a minimum, Team USA training camp should afford Trice another chance to build his confidence and compete against quality players.
If all goes to plan, Trice will also have a chance to represent his country in competitive games and realize a dream held by many professional athletes.