Prior to coming to the NBA, Evan Mobley played for Team TISI USA twice.

First, Mobley was a member of the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup team that won gold in Argentina. In seven games, Mobley averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He was a key player on a roster that featured, among others, current Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Isaac Okoro, Houston rockets guard Jalen Green and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes.

In 2019, Mobley played in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup that took place in Heraklion, Greece. That team was loaded with even more future NBA talent — it featured Barnes, Green, Orlando Magic MAGIC guard Jalen Suggs, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton — and also won gold. Mobley, however, was limited to just two games in that tournament due to back spasms.

The next logical step would be for Mobley to eventually play for Team USA at the senior level. He has the skill and credentials to be in consideration. Maybe not for right now — he’s only 22-years-old and through his second NBA season. But there are players in his age range playing for Team USA right now. Haliburton is a key piece on the current FIBA World Cup Squad. 2023 Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and another rookie in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, also made the main roster.

Mobley also wasn’t part of the Select Team that scrimamged against the main roster ahead of the World Cup. That roster featured, among others, Cunningham, Green, Pistons center Jalen Duren and Oklahoma City Thunder big Chet Holmgren. It’s a program that Cavaliers have participated in the past, with Darius Garland the most recent example in 2021.

Holmgren, for what it’s worth, missed all of last season due to injury, while Cunningham only played in 12 games. Mobley played in 79 games (plus five playoff games) and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Whether Mobley declined to participate or wasn’t invited is unclear.

On Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported in his Substack that the Bahamas is potentially interested Mobley, plus his elder brother Isaiah and Wolves center Naz Reid, to play for their national team. The Mobleys have eligibility to play for the Bahamas because of their grandfather. From Stein’s report:

The Cleveland duo of Evan and Isaiah Mobley and Minnesota's Naz Reid all have Bahamian eligibility. Evan Mobley presumably has aspirations to play for USA Basketball in the future after playing for the United States in two top junior competitions already, but word is that The Bahamas could explore the availability of all three to join the squad that tries to secure an Olympic berth in last-chance qualifying next summer.

Right now, it’s unclear if either Mobley has any interest in this. For Evan specifically, it would mean punting on playing Team USA to help the Bahamas make a push for the Olympics next year. Their national team, featuring Eric Gordon, Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield, just beat Argentina twice in Argentina to keep their hopes alive. If Mobley joins the Bahamians, he would presumably pair with Ayton in the frontcourt and feature heavily for their national team immediately. He could be a 2024 Olympian.

With Team USA, Mobley’s future is more complicated. Grizzlies big Jaren Jackson Jr. is the starting center at this World Cup. Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo presumably will return to Team USA for the 2024 Olympics after winning a gold medal in 2020. That’s two more veteran bigs with more Team USA senior experience possibly blocking Mobley’s path on a 12-man roster.

Then there’s Joel Embiid to consider. Embiid, the 76ers center and reigning MVP, is eligible to play for his native Cameroon, France and the United States internationally. (He is a naturalized citizen for the latter two.) As of publication, Embiid has not picked who he will represent. But if he decides to play for Team USA next summer, then there’s another big man spot filled, health provided. That probably blocks any chance for Mobley to make the 2024 Olympic team. That pushes Mobley’s earliest Team USA debut to 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar when he’ll be 26.

What probably decides this is what Mobley wants. If he decides he wants a clearer path to national team play and feels a connection to the Bahamas, then that’s the choice. If he wants to play a longer game with Team USA, then that’s the path.

Right, no one but Mobley knows what he wants. He hasn’t discussed this publicly, nor has he spoken since last season ended. But with 2024 looming, clarity on Mobley’s international status is coming.