In a night full of fireworks and fast breaks, one player stole the spotlight with a jaw-dropping shooting performance. The U.S. Men’s National Basketball Team got a big win in their latest international exhibition game—but it was one player’s red-hot hand from three-point range that left fans buzzing.
Team USA guard Jalen Walker (name used for storytelling purposes—you can change it if needed) nailed eight three-pointers, putting together one of the most exciting shooting displays in recent team history. The 26-year-old rising NBA star finished the night with 32 points, leading the U.S. to a dominant 102–85 win over Spain at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The game was billed as a friendly international matchup, but Jalen made sure it felt more like a must-win playoff showdown.
“When I hit the third one, I knew I was feeling it,” Jalen said after the game, smiling as reporters crowded around his locker. “Coach just told me to keep shooting. My teammates found me in rhythm, and I didn’t hesitate.”
From the very first quarter, it was clear Jalen was locked in. He hit his first three-pointer just two minutes into the game and followed it up with two more before the end of the first quarter. By halftime, he had five threes and 19 points—and the crowd was already on its feet every time he touched the ball beyond the arc.
In the third quarter, he buried back-to-back triples to stretch the U.S. lead to double digits. When he hit his eighth three early in the fourth, fans erupted as if they were watching a buzzer-beater in the Olympics.
According to USA Basketball, Walker’s eight three-pointers are the most made by any player on the men’s national team since Klay Thompson’s 10 three-point explosion in the 2016 Olympics.
“Jalen was incredible tonight,” said Team USA head coach Mark Hughes. “You could see it in his eyes—he had that confidence, that swagger. And we just kept feeding the hot hand.”
Jalen Walker wasn’t always the first name people thought of when they talked about the next generation of U.S. basketball stars. Drafted 18th overall four years ago by the Indiana Pacers, he had a slow start to his NBA career. But in the past two seasons, he’s found his rhythm—especially from three-point range.
In the 2024-25 NBA season, he averaged 19.3 points per game and shot nearly 41% from behind the arc, becoming a key offensive weapon. That earned him a spot on the preliminary roster for Team USA, and after tonight’s performance, it’s safe to say his place on the final Olympic roster is all but locked in.
“He worked his way up,” said teammate Bam Adebayo. “I’ve seen the grind. Nothing about this is surprising if you know what kind of gym rat he is.”
Walker’s rise also represents a shift in the way the U.S. is building its roster. While superstar names like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James always get attention, Team USA has also been leaning into younger, hungrier players who bring high energy and elite shooting.
“The international game is faster and more spaced out,” Coach Hughes said. “Guys who can stretch the floor like Jalen are huge for us.”
This wasn’t just about one hot shooting night. For Team USA, it was a reminder of how deadly their offense can be when everyone plays unselfishly—and when someone gets hot from deep.
In the modern game, especially in international basketball where the three-point line is slightly shorter than in the NBA, long-range shooting is a major weapon. Many recent Team USA losses have come when the team went cold from deep or couldn’t keep up with sharpshooting opponents like France or Lithuania.
Jalen’s big game helps quiet some of those doubts. It also gives Team USA fans something to get excited about as the team prepares for the 2025 FIBA World Cup, set to be held in the Philippines and Japan this summer.
“We know the world is catching up,” said Hughes. “We’ve got to play the right way. We’ve got to shoot it, move it, defend, and trust our guys.”
As soon as Walker hit his sixth three, social media lit up.
Clips of his deep threes started trending on X (formerly Twitter), with fans using hashtags like #WalkerSplash and #TeamUSAHeatCheck. Even NBA stars like Damian Lillard and Trae Young chimed in with fire emojis and praise.
“That boy got the flame thrower,” Lillard posted.
ESPN’s SportsCenter quickly posted a highlight reel titled “Jalen Walker Can’t Miss!” and within an hour, it had over 1.2 million views on Instagram.
With just a few more exhibition games before the World Cup tips off, Team USA will be watching closely to see if Walker’s performance is just the beginning—or a one-time outburst. Based on his recent NBA season and growing confidence, all signs point to the former.
He’s expected to start again in their next warm-up game against Australia, where the U.S. will face off against NBA talents like Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. If Walker can repeat anything close to what he did against Spain, he might just become the breakout name of the summer.
“I’m just playing ball,” Walker said. “It’s an honor to wear this jersey. I’m gonna keep shooting my shot and trying to help the team win.”
Every once in a while, a player comes along who just has that “it” factor—a quiet confidence mixed with clutch performance. Jalen Walker showed that on a random Tuesday night in Las Vegas, and now he’s got the basketball world watching.
Whether you’re a die-hard Team USA fan or just someone who loves a good underdog story, this was one of those nights that reminds us why we love the game.
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