(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets has seen a lot during his five years in the NBA.
When he was with the Phoenix Suns, he made it all the way to the NBA Finals.
Before that, he won two national championships while playing college basketball for Villanova.
Yet, Bridges told The Athletic that being a part of Team USA for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup is unlike anything that’s come before.
“Playing for your country is a whole different level,” Bridges said.
Mikal Bridges won not one but two national championships in college at Villanova.
In 2021, he went to the NBA Finals with the Suns. Last summer, he signed a four-year, $91M contract extension.
But the USA Basketball experience may take the cake: https://t.co/bSJz1Ba23D pic.twitter.com/dmGzvbzl3z
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 15, 2023
There is no doubt that playing in the World Cup comes with higher stakes.
Not only are players just fighting hard for their team, but they are now fighting hard for the pride of their home country.
This will be Bridges’ first time playing in the FIBA games.
He is not the only one new to the process.
In fact, the team is filled with newcomers like Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves, and others.
Together, they will try to give America something to root for against some very stiff competition.
Team USA wasn’t able to find victory in the games four years ago and that is one of the reasons why this tournament matters so much.
Bridges is hoping that his very impressive 2022-23 season will translate to a strong showing in the World Cup.
He boasted an impressive 26.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game since coming to the Nets in February.
He had multiple breakout games and caught the attention of many.
Now he is stepping up to an even larger stage and will be playing some of the most important basketball of his career.
The post Mikal Bridges Names The Biggest Experience Of His Basketball Career appeared first on The Cold Wire.