USA Basketball announces 34-player Las Vegas minicamp roster
USA Basketball has announced the 34-player roster for its upcoming mini-camp in Las Vegas Aug. 11-13.
The roster features eight new additions and 26 players already in the team pool based on participation in past events.
Headliners for the camp include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook. James is only expected to attend a portion of the camp due to a conflict with an event of his foundation's.
Other notables include Paul George, returned from a compound fracture he suffered in a Team USA scrimmage last summer, and Kevin Love, recovering from the separated shoulder he suffered in the first round of the playoffs.
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo had stated in the past that mini-camp attendance is mandatory for players hoping to participate in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. No cuts will be made during the three-day gathering, which includes a public scrimmage. USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski brings back assistants Jim Boeheim, Tom Thibodeau, and Monty Williams on staff.
“With this being a summer where we do not have an official competition that we need to prepare for, this year’s mini-camp is an opportunity to continue and expand the brotherhood and camaraderie that has been built,” said Colangelo, who has served as managing director since 2005. “It will be a celebration of all that we've accomplished with USA Basketball since the National Team program was formed in 2006 while also looking ahead to 2016. The mini-camp is going to be low key with light workouts, no contact, and the USA Basketball Showcase on Aug. 13 will be a fun all-star type game.”
Absent from the list is Derrick Rose, the lone member of the 2014 gold medalist World Cup team to pass on the camp. Eight of the 12 members of the 2012 London Olympics gold medal team will be in attendance, with Kobe Bryant, Andre Iguodala, Tyson Chandler and Deron Williams not on the roster.
The new additions include Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors), Jimmy Butler(Chicago Bulls), Michael Carter-Williams (Milwaukee Bucks), Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies), Draymond Green (Warriors), Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers) and Victor Oladipo (Magic).
The rest of the USA National Team members confirmed for the mini-camp are LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets), Rudy Gay (Kings), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Chandler Parsons (Dallas Mavericks), Mason Plumlee (Portland Trail Blazers), Klay Thompson (Warriors) and John Wall (Washington Wizards).
-Jeremy Woo
