Carmelo Anthony may not have an NBA championship ring, but he will be going for his third Olympic gold this summer in Rio. Anthony, along with Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler will play for Team USA this summer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. On the flip side, Damian Lillard has opted not to play in the summer games for the Red, White, and Blue as he continues rehab for plantar fascitis.
Sources on @TheVertical: Carmelo Anthony will pursue his third Olympic gold medal for Team USA in Rio this summer. https://t.co/vE3ad2pvRw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2016
Anthony will be competing in his fourth Olympics for the United States. At 32 years of age, this could potentially be Anthony’s final Olympic venture. He has won the gold medal in each of the past two Olympics, along with a disappointing bronze medal at the 2008 games. No player in USA Basketball history has won three Olympic gold medals, so Anthony has a chance to make some history this summer.
Team USA already has commitments from Kevin Durant, Paul George, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan, and DeMarcus Cousins as the roster continues to come together. Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are expected to accept invitations as well, according to ESPN.
Two former teammates of Anthony’s on Team USA are either not going to play or leaning toward not playing. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers has hinted he may stay home this summer, which is understandable. James is coming off an exhausting postseason run for the sixth year in a row, and he certainly deserves a bit of a break. Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers has said he will stay home. Anthony, James and Paul were teammates on the 2008 and 2012 teams.
Team USA will open camp on July 18, with Duke head coach Mike Kryzewski leading the way. The team will play five exhibition games against Argentina and Nigeria before heading to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic tournament from August 6-21.
