Noah Lyles, the American sprinter and world champion in the 100m and 200m, made headlines in the summer of 2023 for comments he made about USA Basketball, specifically in relation to Team USA’s performance at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Lyles suggested that while basketball is considered the national sport in the United States, the country’s dominance in the sport was being challenged on the global stage. He pointed out that the U.S. men’s basketball team did not look as dominant as it had in the past, especially with its disappointing finish at the World Cup, where they failed to win a medal.
Lyles made a comparison between basketball and track and field, where he argued that the U.S. excels in sprints and track, which is why people outside of the country don’t consider it a “global sport” the same way they view basketball. His comments were seen as a mix of playful banter and serious commentary on the state of American basketball in a global context.
Afterward, his remarks sparked reactions from various figures in the basketball world, including NBA stars like LeBron James and others, but Lyles stood by his words, emphasizing the competitive nature of global sports.
It was also notable that Lyles’s comments brought attention to the growing competition from countries like Canada, Spain, and others, who were becoming more competitive in international basketball tournaments.
