{"id":802963,"date":"2026-08-05T01:10:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T01:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/802963\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T01:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T01:10:09","slug":"team-usa-buzz-highlights-scottie-barnes-reality-raptors-are-already-well-aware-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/802963\/","title":{"rendered":"Team USA buzz highlights Scottie Barnes reality Raptors are already well aware of"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scottie Barnes announced himself <\/a>to everyone who had been overlooking the young Raptors star with an outstanding playoff run. He averaged 24.1 points on 50.9% shooting from the field and 38.1% from deep (way above his regular-season average), 6.1 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals over seven games against the Cavaliers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Zach Kram cited that first-round series as the reason why he listed Barnes as a player whose stock is rising among players who could potentially make the USA Basketball roster for the 2028 Olympics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBarnes was one of the last players to make my preliminary roster in February, and he\u2019s on firmer footing now,\u201d Kram wrote<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also added, \u201cBarnes\u2019 defensive versatility makes him a great fit on an Olympic roster, and he\u2019s not the sort of star whose value will be suppressed if he has to take a backseat on offense. That sounds like a prime Olympic candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Barnes\u2019 senior national team debut may not even have to wait until 2028. Brian Windhorst expects him to be a candidate for the 2027 World Cup Team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Referring to Kram\u2019s article, Windhorst said on the latest episode of The Hoop Collective<\/a>, \u201cHe named some players to keep an eye on, and a couple of them I thought were very interesting. One, Scottie Barnes. Absolutely. Two-way player, great size, can hit the outside shot, defends. Definitely a guy I think will get invited to the World Cup team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both takes highlight Barnes\u2019 standing as one of the best two-way players in the game and a still rising young star\u2014something the Raptors are already well aware of. Otherwise, they wouldn\u2019t be trying to get him a superstar teammate like Kawhi Leonard and accelerate the team\u2019s timeline. <\/p>\n

Next season should only solidify Barnes\u2019 standing as a Team USA hopeful<\/p>\n

Barnes has been named an All-Star twice already and made the All-Defensive Second Team<\/a> this year. However, next season should be even better.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whether Kawhi Leonard comes to Toronto or not, Barnes seems ready to take his game, especially his offense, to the next level. He may not be as aggressive as a scorer as he was in the playoffs every single game, but he could finally crack that 20-point-per-game mark while still excelling as a playmaker and defender.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many already considered his omission from the three All-NBA teams this year a snub. If everything goes according to plan, leaving him off will be impossible next year and he will only continue to cement himself as one of the best young two-way players in the game\u2014and someone who should receive serious consideration for Team USA in 2027 and 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barnes can guard any position and fill many different roles on offense. That versatility isn\u2019t easy to find, and would allow Barnes to seamlessly fit in on a star-studded team. <\/p>\n

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