Overview
- USA Basketball on Thursday formally approved Mark Daigneault, J.B. Bickerstaff and Mark Few as assistant coaches to head coach Erik Spoelstra for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
- Managing director Grant Hill selected the trio and described the staff hires as the second major step after naming Spoelstra toward assembling the national team leadership and roster.
- The coaching group mixes NBA and college pedigrees: Daigneault brings prior U.S. youth-team experience and recent NBA success, Bickerstaff will make his USA Basketball debut, and Few returns after serving on the prior Olympic cycle.
- The staff will work together on player outreach, scouting and preparation during Showcase games and the World Cup qualifying windows ahead of the tournament in Qatar.
- By locking in coaches early, USA Basketball aims to speed coordinated planning and influence which players commit to qualifiers and next summer’s World Cup, a key stage in shaping the 2028 Olympic roster.