Stephen Silas, the son of the late NBA coach Paul Silas, has taken on the role of coaching Team USA in the qualifying rounds of the FIBA AmeriCup tournament. Silas, who lost his father two years ago, saw this opportunity as a way to honor his father's legacy, as Paul Silas never had the chance to be part of the national team despite his extensive career in the NBA.
The FIBA AmeriCup is the championship of the FIBA Americas region, and the U.S. team is aiming to qualify for the tournament scheduled to be held in Nicaragua next year. The team will face Puerto Rico and Bahamas in games this Friday and Monday in Washington, with additional qualifying games in February.
The U.S. team, along with Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and Cuba, are currently tied at 1-1 through the initial stage of qualifying. The top three teams from each group will advance to the tournament in Nicaragua.
Stephen Silas expressed his excitement at being back on the coaching bench after his previous stints with the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. He emphasized his love for the game and his eagerness to continue coaching and helping players improve.
Joining Silas on the coaching staff are basketball legends Patrick Ewing and Keith Smart. Ewing, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former Georgetown coach, brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the team. Smart, a former NBA head coach and NCAA champion, also adds valuable experience to the coaching staff.
The USA roster for the qualifying rounds comprises 12 players, all of whom have NBA experience. Players like Robert Covington, Tony Snell, and Frank Kaminsky bring extensive NBA careers to the team, with a combined total of nearly 2,000 NBA games played and over 15,000 points scored.
With a talented roster and experienced coaching staff, Team USA is poised to make a strong showing in the FIBA AmeriCup qualifying rounds as they aim to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament next year.
For more sports news, visit AP Sports.
