What did Trey Young say to Team USA snub?

Team USA is gearing up for the World Cup later on this month, and while many of the biggest stars in the game didn’t want to participate this year, there was one franchise player who feels got snubbed.

Young didn’t make the cut

Trae Young has been the reason for the Atlanta Hawks resurgence into relevance over the last few years. He is an All-Star and was selected to the third team All-NBA team two seasons ago. He has the credentials to be on the team, but reports suggest he was left off because he didn’t fit the style of play that Team USA wants to run this summer.

Instead, Steve Kerr entrusted young guys like Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. and the decision has been met with some harsh criticism. Former Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas had Young on his podcast Gil’s Arena and asked him about being left off the squad.

“I would love to play with guys and show off my passing and not have to go out and score a lot and just be there if they need me to,” Young said. “I’d be happy to, obviously, I’d love to play, but I respect the OGs and understand you need to take your turn, but I believe that I should be on there.”

Young and Curry similarities

Arenas would later call Team USA’s roster a “sorry ass group” describing the situation as “embarrassing” claiming there were other star players who wanted to be a part of the team in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan this summer but weren’t named to the roster because they are “not gonna fit our system.”

It’s a little strange to think that Young wouldn’t fit in a Steve Kerr system considering who he coaches on a yearly basis. There aren’t many players you can compare (in style of play, not in accomplishments to Steph Curry in the league. Trae Young is one of those guys. A silky smooth shooter, who can create off the dribble or score off the catch and shoot in set plays.

Young often gets a bad rap for shooting the ball too much, but like he said in his interview with Arenas, he was looking forward to not having to be the man on the team, like he is in Atlanta, and showing how he can get his teammates involved.

Trae can dish the rock

Let’s not forget, He has averaged 9.3 assists a game in the NBA, and posted double digit assists this season (10.2) coming in third behind James Harden and Team USA member Tyrese Haliburton.

There are a number of stars would would have to assume are skipping out on this summer to compete in the Olympics in Paris next summer, and time will tell if Young fits the system that team will play.