Kinston's Ingram Prepares to Shine on 2023 USA Men’s National Basketball Team

Cementing its reputation as a basketball powerhouse, Kinston takes pride in the announcement that local hero Brandon Ingram is set to represent the USA in the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 in Manila.

Ingram, the New Orleans Pelicans forward, has proven his mettle over seven NBA seasons, boasting an impressive career average of 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. During the recent 2022-23 season, he reached new heights, tallying a career-best 24.7 points per game and earning his place in the national team.

No stranger to international stages, Ingram was a finalist for the 2020 USA Men’s National Team. His journey, rooted in Kinston's basketball culture, began as a member of the 2016 USA Men’s Select Team, training alongside the Olympic squad for the Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The 2023 USA Men’s National Team features an exceptional lineup including Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson. Their shared goal: bring glory to the nation on the global basketball stage.

Grouped in Category C, the USA faces New Zealand, Greece, and Jordan in the initial World Cup clashes. As the world watches, Kinston rallies behind Ingram, whose journey from local courts to global acclaim encapsulates the spirit of our basketball-loving town.

Before heading to Manila, the team hones its skills during a training camp in Las Vegas from Aug. 3-6. Ingram will also showcase his prowess in exhibition games against Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, and Germany, further fueling Kinston's basketball pride.

The eyes of Kinston remain fixated on Brandon Ingram, an emblem of our enduring basketball legacy. With every dribble and shot, he carries the aspirations and dreams of our town onto the grandest stages, affirming Kinston's status as a true basketball haven.