NBA talent at the 2025 Americup
Some familiar NBA names will suit up for their national teams this summer despite the US skipping the tournament.
The International Basketball Federation is staging multiple continental tournaments in the summer of 2025, and the AmeriCup will run from August 22 to 31 in Managua, Nicaragua. USA Basketball chose not to send NBA stars, but the competition still features a handful of players from the world’s best league.
José Alvarado – Puerto Rico – New Orleans Pelicans
Puerto Rico enter as one of the tournament favorites, thanks largely to the defensive intensity of their backcourt. Leading the way is José Alvarado, who has shone in the NBA as a high-impact reserve with his knack for stealing the ball. Known as “Grand Theft Alvarado,” the New Orleans Pelicans guard signed a contract extension in September 2024 and remains one of the league’s most effective bench players.
David Jones-Garcia – Dominican Republic – San Antonio Spurs
After two seasons in the G League with Capitanes de Ciudad de México, Jones-García’s strong Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs earned him a two-way deal for the 2025-26 NBA season. Born in Santo Domingo, he will lead the Dominican side alongside Jean Montero in the hunt for the continental crown.
In group play, the Dominican Republic will face Colombia, Argentina and host nation Nicaragua – offering the Spurs swingman a major international showcase.
Kyshawn George and Leonard Miller – Canada – Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves
Canada boast NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and plenty of elite talent, but for the AmeriCup they have opted for a young squad. Their NBA contingent includes Kyshawn George of the Wizards and Leonard Miller of the Timberwolves. George, who once represented Switzerland at U-16 level, is set to start at small forward after a promising rookie year. Miller, meanwhile, will shoulder defensive duties against opposing scorers as part of Canada’s frontcourt rotation.
Although George played for Switzerland in a U-16 tournament, the Washington Wizards forward will aim to be one of the starting forwards who can shine after his rookie season. Meanwhile, Miller, one of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rotation forwards, will be tasked with defending the Canadians’ top scorers.
Plenty of NBA G League talent at the 2025 Americup
While the US did not send active NBA players, USA Basketball will be represented by G League guards Javonte Smart and Rob Barker of the Osceola Magic. Brazil also feature several names familiar to the developmental league, including Joao Maozinha Pereira, Caio Pacheco and Alexey Borges.
Bahamas were expected to surprise after initially boasting NBA names like Deandre Ayton, Eric Gordon and Buddy Hield. None made the final roster, but the island nation will still lean on G League big man Isaiah Mobley along with college players Franco Miller and Joshua Dames.
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