A familiar face returns to the court
Elijah Pemberton, a Middletown native who once led Hofstra to a Colonial Athletic Conference title in 2020, is set to don the United States jersey once again as the team prepares for its final two FIBA World Cup qualifying matches in 2027.
The qualifiers, scheduled after a training camp in Miami, will see Team USA face the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo and Mexico in Mexico City. The outcomes will determine the composition of the group that advances to the next round of competition.
Coach Stephen Silas, a former player at St. Thomas More and longtime NBA assistant, will guide a roster that blends G‑League standouts with European veterans, highlighted by forward Jay Huff, who recently averaged 9.5 points for the Indiana Pacers.
Pemberton’s previous international experience includes a bronze medal at the 2022 FIBA Americup and participation in qualifying rounds the following year, giving him a seasoned presence as he returns for his third stint with the national team.
After going undrafted in 2020, the former Hofstra star now competes for a Polish club, bringing a transatlantic perspective to the squad as it aims to secure a spot in the world championship.