Durant is now set to make his second Olympic appearance. USA Basketball chief Jerry Colangelo acknowledged that the wheels were in motion for a “sea change” to shift basketball’s showcase global event from the Olympic stage to a World Cup format patterned after the enormously popular world soccer tournament, but cautioned there were speed bumps ahead. In 2011, Green played for the United States in the World University Games, averaging 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals in eight games.
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Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes will represent not only the Warriors but their country in the 2016 Olympics, as the makeup of the men’s basketball team was announced Monday. Included on the team is Cleveland Cavaliers’ star Kyrie Irving, fresh off of his first National Basketball Association title.
“Our overall balance is what strikes me, ” Krzyzewski said.
Also joining the red, white and blue are Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will coach the Americans for the third and final time, tying Henry Iba’s team record, and be assisted by Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau and former Oklahoma City assistant Monty Williams.
“We have lightning-quick guards who can score as well as distribute the basketball”.
Team USA will convene in Las Vegas on July 17 to begin a training camp that spans almost a week and culminates with a July 22 exhibition game against 2004 Olympic champion Argentina. “We have great shooters and explosive scorers, we’re big and athletic, and I think we’ll really be able to defend”. The U.S. will train against the USA Men’s Select Team, which features former Wildcats Devin Booker, Willie Cauley-Stein and Julius Randle.
Since the formation of USA Basketball’s national team program in 2006, USA National Teams have compiled a spectacular 75-1 record and claimed top honors in five of six FIBA and FIBA Americas competitions.
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Olympic men’s basketball runs from August 6 to 21 in Rio.
