Events DC is excited to announce a partnership with USA Basketball to host three Men’s AmeriCup Qualifying games at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in 2020.
The USA will take on Puerto Rico on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 (3 PM EST), Bahamas on Nov. 27, 2020, and Mexico on Nov. 30, 2020. Don’t miss your chance to see the United States Men’s Basketball Team at the Entertainment and Sports Arena for the first time ever in February. Buy your tickets today!
Players selected to represent the USA in the AmeriCup Qualifying games are expected to be primarily from the NBA G League, the NBA’s official minor league, and will be selected by the USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualification Committee.
Former NBA head coach Mike Fratello will serve as head coach of the USA team for the February 2020 AmeriCup Qualifying games. Former Georgetown standout Othella Harrington was named as an assistant coach.
“The FIBA AmeriCup qualifying games initiate another cycle of qualifying for an important FIBA event and we are thrilled to be able to play our three home AmeriCup qualifying games at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, DC,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO. “This will be a great opportunity for basketball fans in Washington, DC, and the surrounding communities to see high-level FIBA international basketball competition and offer fans the opportunity to show support for the USA National Team. We look forward to partnering with Events DC and playing some exciting basketball in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Washington DC.”
The 2020-21 FIBA AmeriCup qualifiers feature 16 teams from the Americas zone divided into four groups of four teams. The top three finishing teams in each Group will earn a qualifying berth in the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 (site and dates TBA).
FIBA AmeriCup qualifying will consist of three windows, and each window will feature two games. The first window is Feb. 20-24, 2020. The USA will open play against Puerto Rico in San Juan on Feb. 20, then play a rematch versus Puerto Rico on Feb. 23 in Washington DC.
The USA men’s won the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup with a 5-0 record, and in its next most recent participation in 2007, the U.S. rumbled over its opposition in Las Vegas and finished 10-0 to win gold and capture one of the FIBA Americas zone’s two qualifying berths for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Overall, USA Basketball officially has now fielded teams in nine AmeriCups (formerly known as FIBA Americas Championships), and has won seven gold (2017, 2007, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1993 and 1992) and one silver medal (1989), while compiling a 65-10 win-loss record.
