DeMarcus Cousins Named To 2016 USA Olympic Team

Two years after missing out on an opportunity to play for the US national team when he suffered a gruesome broken leg during practice competition, Indiana Pacers forward Paul George is an Olympian.

Among the other American NBA players who opted out of consideration are twice reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, John Wall and LaMarcus Aldridge.

“I think I can speak for the entire coaching staff and say we’re extremely excited about the team we will field for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro”, said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the U.S. men’s national team. He is one of 12 players who will participate in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro later this summer.

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.

The 2016 USA Basketball National Team coaching staff features USA head coach and Duke University’s Naismith Hall of Fame mentor Mike Krzyzewski, whom Green called “Coach K”.

“Looking at this team, our overall balance is what strikes me”.

Also chosen Monday for the team were: Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes; Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving; Indiana’s Paul George; Chicago’s Jimmy Butler; Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan.

The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony becomes the first man to represent USA Basketball in four Olympics and will try to become the first American man with three gold medals after playing on victorious United States teams in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. “We have lightning-quick guards who can score and distribute the basketball”.

Team USA now enjoys a 17-game Olympic win streak that dates back to the bronze medal game of the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The USA National Team will train July 18-21 in Las Vegas.

The United States is on a 63-game win streak which includes FIBA, Olympic and exhibition games, and has won 17 straight in the Olympics, with the last loss coming against Greece in the 2006 world champioships. “We’ve got a great mix of talent, scorers, past gold medal winners and outstanding youth”.