Popovich sees Australia as World Cup basketball threat

USA national team head coach Gregg Popovich sees Australia as a title threat at the upcoming FIBA World Cup in China. The teams meet Thursday in the first of two exhibition games in Melbourne. The second game is set for Saturday. “Huge, huge threat,” Popovich said of the Boomers. “They are one of the teams that can win the whole thing, without a doubt. I’m not saying that because I’m here. It’s just a fact.” “They’ve been close for several years, and they are hungry. They are talented. They have the toughness and physicality to go with it. I think they are one of the top contenders without a doubt.” Australia lost the bronze medal final at the 2016 Olympics to Spain.

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