Brandon Ingram is a primary offensive weapon for New Orleans, a go-to scorer who sometimes needs to erupt for 30-plus points, as the 2020 All-Star forward did in 10 separate Pelicans victories last season. Surrounded by prolific bucket-getters such as Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, however, Ingram’s role for USA Basketball is a bit different, as evidenced by him finishing a pair of weekend exhibition wins over Greece and Germany with the same number of assists (three) as field goals.
Like Ingram, New Orleans teammates Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania) and Dyson Daniels (Australia) will have altered responsibilities with their respective national teams during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which tips off Friday in the Philippines. Valanciunas is Option 1A for Lithuania, asked to dominate games in the paint, as he did in a recent exhibition victory over Puerto Rico (20…