Paul George, Kyrie Irving headline USA Basketball mini-camp invitees
Kyrie Irving (right) and Jrue Holiday have both been invited to the USA Basketball mini-camp. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
This is technically an off-year for USA Basketball, which has no major qualifying tournaments to attend. But as part of its commitment to maintain a proper basketball program and thus remain better prepared for future competitions, USA Basketball will field its customary mini-camp to introduce new players to the organization while further evaluating some familiar faces from previous Select teams.
None of the biggest names or first-team participants will be in the mix, but USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski have tabbed 27 up-and-coming players to participate in this summer's camp, held July 22-25 in Las Vegas:
Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans
Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
DeMarcus Cousins*, Sacramento Kings
Anthony Davis**, New Orleans Pelicans
DeMar DeRozan*, Toronto Raptors
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
Derrick Favors*, Utah Jazz
Paul George*, Indiana Pacers
Taj Gibson*, Chicago Bulls
Jrue Holiday*, Philadelphia 76ers
Kyrie Irving*, Cleveland Cavaliers
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
Kawhi Leonard*, San Antonio Spurs
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons
Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets
Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks
Klay Thompson*, Golden State Warriors
Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats
John Wall*, Washington Wizards
Tyler Zeller, Cleveland Cavaliers
* Member of the 2012 USA Basketball Select Team
** Member of the 2012 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team player pool
"This year is an important first step in the rebuilding of the USA national team roster for the 2014-16 international competitions," Colangelo said. "[W]e believe we have compiled a roster of not only outstanding basketball talents, but individuals who will represent the United States in the manner we expect."
Danny Granger
