Suns’ Mikal Bridges named to USA Basketball 2019 Select Team
Jul 25, 2019, 11:41 AM
Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 08, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Warriors defeated the Suns 117-107. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns forward and second-year player Mikal Bridges was one of 13 NBA players named to USA Basketball’s 2019 Select Team on Thursday.
The team will train Aug. 5-8 with the national team in Las Vegas ahead of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
In 2018-19, Bridges led all NBA rookies with 1.57 steals per game (12th in NBA among all players) while averaging 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He played 82 games for the Suns last year, averaging 29.5 minutes.
As noted in a release from the Suns, Bridges’ 1.84 steal-to-turnover ratio was the second-best steal-to-turnover ratio by a rookie in NBA history behind only Kawhi Leonard in 2011-12. He was also given the team’s Dan Majerle Hustle Award after being the first rookie in Suns history with 100+ steals and 100+ three-pointers.
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Bridges joins other NBAers like Jalen Brunson (Dallas), Marvin Bagley III (Sacramento), De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento), Landry Shamet (LA Clippers), Trae Young (Atlanta) on the Select Team, coached by Jeff Van Gundy.
Bridges is the fourth Suns player named to the Select Team, joining Devin Booker in 2007, Miles Plumlee in 2014 and Robin Lopez in 2008.
“The purpose of the Select Team is to help prepare our National Team for the World Cup and to offer an opportunity for some younger NBA standouts to be involved in the USA Basketball National Team program,” national team managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a press release. “These 13 players help extend the legacy of elite players who have been part of the USA Basketball Select teams.
“Not only will this group help prepare the United States for the FIBA World Cup, but it will also provide them with valuable experience at the USA Basketball National Team level.”
