KEVIN DURANT AND Carmelo Anthony headline United States’ squad for the 2016 Olympic Games, with a host of NBA All-Stars poised to feature in Rio.
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Thompson, who was named to the All-NBA third team this year, was joined on the USA men’s Olympic basketball team by two other Golden State teammates – Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes.
Anthony, a Baltimore native, tweeted on Monday, “Humbled to rep #TeamUSA in my 4th Olympics #RIO #UNITE” with a picture of a United States of America jersey.
Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and DeAndre Jordan complete the all-NBA squad which is gunning for its third straight gold medal.
We’re inching closer and closer to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and one of the popular topics has been the USA men’s basketball team. Anthony Davis and LaMarcus Aldridge both are injured, league superstars Stephen Curry and LeBron James have opted to spend their summer doing other activities, and a plethora of other stars simply said no.
The U.S. team will train from July 18 to 21 in Las Vegas against the Men’s Select Team, which includes former MSU stars Denzel Valentine and Gary Harris.
Irving was named MVP of the 2014 FIBA World Cup for his role in leading the U.S.to a 9-0 record and the gold medal.
Irving averaged 17.5 points in 2010-11, his lone season at Duke, before being selected first overall by Cleveland in the 2011 NBA Draft.
The 2016 USA Basketball team was announced this morning and the team promptly made a tour through New York City to meet with fans and take some photos.
Durant is one of the top-three players in the National Basketball Association. “The injury two years ago has added motivation to want to play again!”
A three-year letterwinner for the Longhorns (1958-60) who garnered All-America honors as a senior, Jay Arnette earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
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“It wouldn’t surprise me to see some athletes deciding not to participate in the games to avoid putting their health and the health of their families at risk”, he said. Canada needs to win their Olympic Qualifying Tournament outright in Manila from July 5-10, knocking off Turkey, France, the host Philippines, New Zealand, and Senegal in the process.
