Javonte Smart (1) and Alex Morales (2) were away from the Osceola Magic for two games while playing for their home countries in the Federal International Basketball Association (FIBA) World Cup qualifying tournament. (Photos/Taylor McFee)
Osceola Magic guard Javonte Smart found some great Christmas gifts for his family this year. He brought back genuine used Team USA jerseys after playing for the team as it won the first two games of the Federal International Basketball Association (FIBA) World Cup qualifying tournament.
Another Magic player, Alex Morales, also played for Team Puerto Rico.
“I got a couple of USA jerseys for my mom and family members,” Smart said. “It’s good to be able to see the jersey when I go back home. Everybody is proud of me.
“This doing something bigger than me. [Wearing] USA on my chest is big. It means something big to me.”
Smart flashed a broad smile as he continued to talk about wearing the team USA uniform.
“It’s a one of a kind of feeling. Not too many people get the opportunity to represent their country,” Smart said. “You know, it’s unbelievable that I’m one of the chosen ones to be a part of it. It’s awesome.”
Osceola coach Dylan Murphy was thrilled for his players to have the opportunity to play for their countries even if they had to miss two games.
“We support it and are happy for them,” Murphy said. “This is part of playing professional basketball to be honored in that way. We’re proud of them.”
The two said they were humbled to be playing for their national teams.
“I think everybody is playing for one thing on Team USA,” Smart said. “In the G League you are trying to win a championship, get a call up, but I think playing for Team USA you know what is at stake.
We’re one of the best teams in the world. Nobody should be able to beat us. You know, we got to play hard and be able to win.”
“It’s a different feeling to go out there and represent something bigger than a team, a name, yourself, as you are representing the whole island country,” Morales added. So, it’s definitely a greater feeling.”
Team USA won both its opening pool games against Nicaragua with Smart averaging 12 points in 21 minutes. Team Puerto Rico did not fare as well, losing both pool games. Morales averaged 13 points in 23 minutes.
Both players noted the physicality of the FIBA tournament as opposed to the G League.
“FIBA is tough. It’s a different style of basketball,” Morales said. It is very physical and teams pack the paint. So, it just gives me that physical aspect of the game. I’m a physical player and I carry that wherever I go, but [FIBA] prepares me even more.”
Murphy noted the improvement of Morales over the four years he has been playing for Team Puerto Rico.
“He’s gone from a guy that was a defender who didn’t really want to shoot threes or handle the ball a lot,” Murphy said of Morales who has played for the Magic all three seasons they’ve played in Osceola. “Now he is a great downhill driver, a great defender, and shooting the ball at a high level. He’s someone that you always wanted in the foxhole with you.”
Smart, who was the only returning player from the last World Cup qualifier team said that the Team USA experience this year also made him a better leader in addition to a better defender for the Osceola Magic.
“We really lock in our defense,” Smart remarked on Team USA’s two wins. “I’m trying to stop people from scoring. So, my mentality there helps me when I come back.”
Murphy added Smart is also better with the ball in his hand for the Magic due to the experience of being the starting point guard on Team USA.
“[In FIBA] You just see different coverages and different styles,” Murphy noted due to the physical play and the lack of a defensive three-second rule. “It just makes him more adaptable. It gives him new tools that he can add coming back here.
Smart noted that playing for Team USA not only makes him a better player but provides opportunities off the court.
“It’s been a great experience, Smart said. “I’m meeting more people, getting more connected, and building relationships.
“It’s one of the best opportunities that you can have playing in front of people. You never know who watching. So, you know, you always want to put the best foot for it no matter what you’re playing.”
The two players will continue play in the qualifiers later in 2026. Both are excited to hear the chants of “USA, USA’, or “Let Go Puerto Rico” as they are humbled to represent their countries.
