Although Orlando Magic players are not on Team USA’s Olympic basketball team, the Magic are helping train the players going to Paris. The Select Team trained and played scrimmages with the U.S. Olympic Team, preparing the Olympians for their fifth consecutive gold medal. Coaching the Select Team was Orlando Magic head coach Jamal Mosley, who said the experience was amazing and something he wants to bring back to Central Florida. “It’s very humbling. It’s beyond humbling, it’s fun just to be with this group. I get to coach the game of basketball. I get to be involved with basketball and talk about basketball all day,” Mosley said. Along with Mosley was Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who didn’t play much in Las Vegas. But Suggs was able to help coach the Select Team’s younger players. Mosley said it can only be a positive for his upcoming season with the Magic. “If he can teach, he can learn better himself and tell him what we’re trying to do in Orlando, it’s great for him, so he’ll have a leadership role for us next year,” Mosley said. Cooper Flagg has yet to play a collegiate game, but he showed his strengths well against Team USA. The projected No. 1 overall draft pick in 2025 is looking to jump to the next level and said this was a great learning experience. “It was a great experience to be on the court competing against players at that level on my team and other teams, so it was a great experience to be able to learn around that,” Flagg said. One thing is for sure, with the help of the Select Team, USA Basketball will be in good hands in the future. Team USA’s first game in Paris is against Serbia on July 28. You can watch it live on NBC at 11:15 a.m.
Although Orlando Magic players are not on Team USA’s Olympic basketball squad, the Magic are helping train the players heading to Paris.
The select team trained and played scrimmages with the U.S. Olympic team as the Olympians prepared to win a fifth consecutive gold medal.
The selected team was coached by Orlando Magic head coach Jamal Mosley, who said the experience was great and one he hopes to bring back to Central Florida.
“It’s very humbling. It’s beyond humbling, it’s fun just to be around this group. We get to coach the game of basketball. We get to be around basketball and talk about it all day long,” Mosley said.
Joining Mosley will be Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who didn’t play much in Las Vegas, but was able to help mentor some of the younger players on the select team.
Mosley said that can only benefit him going into next season with the Magic.
“Once he’s able to be taught, he’s better able to learn on his own and we can communicate to him what we’re trying to do in Orlando, that’s great for him so he’ll be in a leadership role for us next year,” Mosley said.
Cooper Flagg has yet to play a collegiate game, but he overplayed his game against the U.S. National Team, and the projected No. 1 overall pick in 2025 said it was a great learning experience as he prepares to make the leap to the next level.
“It was a great experience to be on the court and compete with some great players from my team and other teams. It was a great experience to play with them and learn from them,” Flagg said.
One thing is for sure: with the help of the Select Team, U.S. basketball will remain healthy into the future.
Team USA’s first game in Paris will be against Serbia on July 28. The game will be broadcast live on NBC at 11:15 a.m.
