Gasol brothers to lead Spain at World Cup

Pau and Marc Gasol. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

MADRID, Spain — Spain has named brothers Pau and Marc Gasol and four other NBA players to its squad for the basketball World Cup starting August 30.

Spain, the host of the tournament, is widely considered the United States’ biggest challenger for the title.

Besides the Gasol brothers, Spain’s squad includes NBA players Serge Ibaka, Jose Calderon, Ricky Rubio, and Victor Claver and former NBA players Rudy Fernandez, Juan Carlos Navarro and Sergio Rodriguez.

Spain coach Juan Orenga says “this team is designed” to beat the U.S.

The U.S. is the reigning world champion and has beaten Spain in the last two Olympic gold medal games.

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