US Select Team Keeps Rolling — Europe’s Influence Growing Stronger
By Marcus Fielding | Sports Illustrated, August 1987
The U.S. Select Team continues to dominate its international exhibition schedule, but what’s becoming more apparent than ever is how global the game of basketball has become. The gap between American and European styles is closing — and scouts from both the NBA and Europe are watching with a sharper eye than ever before.
🇺🇸 Gregor Irving: The Floor General Finds His Rhythm
Former DePaul standout Gregor Irving has taken command of the U.S. Select Team’s offense, showing the kind of leadership and court vision that once made him one of the top point guards in the Big East.
Irving isn’t flashy, but he’s smart, composed, and efficient — a coach’s dream in a setting filled with raw talent and egos.
NBA scouts have taken note of Irving’s improved jump shot and defensive awareness — two areas that had been question marks during his college days. A late second-round draft projection isn’t out of the question, especially for teams looking for a steady backup guard.
💪 Jessie Moor: Butler’s Brawler Owning the Paint
At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Jessie Moor (formerly of Butler University) has been a force on the boards. Known for his relentless rebounding and rugged interior play, Moor has turned heads internationally with his ability to carve out position against larger opponents.
Moor’s stock has been quietly rising — not because of highlight plays, but because of his motor and maturity.
NBA front offices looking for toughness and depth up front are taking notes — especially after seeing players like Swen Nater and Manute Bol redefine what centers can do in different systems.
🇹🇷 Bahçeşehir’s Rising Power: Callum Kirby and Tory Norville Lead the Charge
Across the Atlantic, Turkish powerhouse Bahçeşehir has become a proving ground for future NBA hopefuls — following the blueprint that helped launch Austin Hudson to the Seattle SuperSonics.
This year, their standout has been Callum Kirby, a versatile small forward who previously played in England and Italy. Kirby’s smooth scoring and defensive versatility have earned him comparisons to European legends like Dražen Petrović and Detlef Schrempf.
Meanwhile, Tory Norville, the Villanova product who now mans the power forward/center spot, has been a revelation. Strong, athletic, and disciplined, Norville is proving that his game translates well overseas.
🌐 NBA Scouts See Europe as the New Frontier
With players like Austin Hudson, Florent Rousset, and Amit Salama making names for themselves, the NBA’s international presence has never been stronger.
What’s changing isn’t just where the players come from — it’s how they’re developed. European systems focus on fundamentals, spacing, and ball movement, and many American scouts believe it’s time to take notes.
The 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul are expected to be another major showcase for international stars, and the scouting departments are already in overdrive.
🏀 The Takeaway
Between the U.S. Select Team’s discipline and Europe’s evolving sophistication, basketball’s global future is coming into full view. Whether it’s Gregor Irving’s leadership, Jessie Moor’s grit, or Callum Kirby’s European finesse — one thing is clear:
The next wave of basketball greatness might not be about where you play, but how you play.
By Marcus Fielding | Sports Illustrated, August 1987
The U.S. Select Team continues to dominate its international exhibition schedule, but what’s becoming more apparent than ever is how global the game of basketball has become. The gap between American and European styles is closing — and scouts from both the NBA and Europe are watching with a sharper eye than ever before.
🇺🇸 Gregor Irving: The Floor General Finds His Rhythm
Former DePaul standout Gregor Irving has taken command of the U.S. Select Team’s offense, showing the kind of leadership and court vision that once made him one of the top point guards in the Big East.
Irving isn’t flashy, but he’s smart, composed, and efficient — a coach’s dream in a setting filled with raw talent and egos.
“Gregor’s the glue,” said one assistant coach. “He doesn’t need to score 20. He just makes everyone better. And that’s what separates pros from prospects.”
NBA scouts have taken note of Irving’s improved jump shot and defensive awareness — two areas that had been question marks during his college days. A late second-round draft projection isn’t out of the question, especially for teams looking for a steady backup guard.
💪 Jessie Moor: Butler’s Brawler Owning the Paint
At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Jessie Moor (formerly of Butler University) has been a force on the boards. Known for his relentless rebounding and rugged interior play, Moor has turned heads internationally with his ability to carve out position against larger opponents.
Moor’s stock has been quietly rising — not because of highlight plays, but because of his motor and maturity.
“Jessie plays like every rebound is life or death,” said one European scout. “That’s rare. And that travels well in any league.”
NBA front offices looking for toughness and depth up front are taking notes — especially after seeing players like Swen Nater and Manute Bol redefine what centers can do in different systems.
🇹🇷 Bahçeşehir’s Rising Power: Callum Kirby and Tory Norville Lead the Charge
Across the Atlantic, Turkish powerhouse Bahçeşehir has become a proving ground for future NBA hopefuls — following the blueprint that helped launch Austin Hudson to the Seattle SuperSonics.
This year, their standout has been Callum Kirby, a versatile small forward who previously played in England and Italy. Kirby’s smooth scoring and defensive versatility have earned him comparisons to European legends like Dražen Petrović and Detlef Schrempf.
“Callum’s not afraid of contact anymore,” said Bahçeşehir head coach Nihat Ceylan. “He’s learned how to use his body, not just his skill.”
Meanwhile, Tory Norville, the Villanova product who now mans the power forward/center spot, has been a revelation. Strong, athletic, and disciplined, Norville is proving that his game translates well overseas.
“He’s built for both styles — the European system and the NBA’s physical pace,” said one scout from the Portland Trail Blazers.
🌐 NBA Scouts See Europe as the New Frontier
With players like Austin Hudson, Florent Rousset, and Amit Salama making names for themselves, the NBA’s international presence has never been stronger.
What’s changing isn’t just where the players come from — it’s how they’re developed. European systems focus on fundamentals, spacing, and ball movement, and many American scouts believe it’s time to take notes.
“We’ve got too many athletes and not enough thinkers,” said one veteran NBA executive. “You watch a team like Bahçeşehir, and every possession has a purpose. That’s something college ball doesn’t always teach.”
The 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul are expected to be another major showcase for international stars, and the scouting departments are already in overdrive.
🏀 The Takeaway
Between the U.S. Select Team’s discipline and Europe’s evolving sophistication, basketball’s global future is coming into full view. Whether it’s Gregor Irving’s leadership, Jessie Moor’s grit, or Callum Kirby’s European finesse — one thing is clear:
The next wave of basketball greatness might not be about where you play, but how you play.
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