With the 2016 Rio Olympics creeping up in August, much talk has been surrounding the United States’ International NBA teams, with the biggest news including Steph Curry’s decision to sit out of Rio and Lebron James undecided as to whether he will be a part of this year’s squad.
But, one factor that has been decided is the USA Men’s Select Team, which officially announced its 25 players on Tuesday. The team includes 15 players with international experience, seven members of the 2015-16 All-Rookie first and second teams and five highly touted playes from the college ranks who are eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft. Several of the young NBA players on the roster also have prior international experience as well.
The USA Select Team will have the privilege of training with the USA International Team July 18-21 as they prepare to challenge for the gold in Rio. The team also features some of the most highly rated players from college basketball who figure to make an impact in the NBA.
The team consists of the following players as reported by USA Basketball:
Malcolm Brogdon (University of Virginia); Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit Pistons); Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings); Kris Dunn (Providence College); Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic); Jerami Grant (Philadelphia 76ers); Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets); Rodney Hood (Utah Jazz); Brandon Ingram (Duke University);Brice Johnson (University of North Carolina), Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons); Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves); CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers); Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls); Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets); Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers); Jabari Parker (Milwaukee Bucks); Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers); D’Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers); Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics);Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers); Denzel Valentine (Michigan State University); Justise Winslow (Miami Heat) and Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who was named head coach of the USA Men’s National team from 2017-2020, will act as the head coach for the Select team, with Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka and Villanova head coach Jay Wright acting as assistant coaches.
“The 2016 USA Basketball Select Team continues to our tradition of featuring some of the game’s brightest and most promising young players. Participation in this camp provides them with valuable experience at the USA Basketball National Team level, while helping prepare the 2016 USA National Team for its upcoming international competition. For many of the Select Team players this is a continuation of their USA Basketball experiences and for others it is an introduction into our pipeline,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball National Team managing director.
In addition to helping the USA Men’s International Team prepare for the Olympics, the USA Select Team has often acted as a pipeline and an important first step in players participating at the international level. Players who got their start on the Select team prior to their roles as a part of USA International teams include the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Kevin Love, and a slew of others. With the international basketball stage often more perimeter oriented compared to the NBA, rosters often consist of fewer traditional big men in favor of guards and wings who can shoot from the outside. The big men who do make the roster are valuable in their ability to take up space in the paint with smaller lineups.
The USA Select Team will practice with the USA National Team from July 18-21 at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center, with all practices closed to the public. The USA Basketball Men’s National Team is expected to play its first exhibition game domestically in Las Vegas against Argentina on July 22.
[USAB]
