Nursing injuries, seeking rest and growing Zika-virus fears haven’t made putting together the United States National Team for the Rio Olympics easy, but the 12-man group appears set.
Reports surfaced on Saturday of Harrison Barnes and Kyrie Irving accepting U.S. spots. Those two got the roster to 12. They will reportedly join Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Harrison Barnes, DeMarcus Cousins, Draymond Greene, and DeAndre Jordan.
USA Basketball is scheduled to officially announce the National Team roster on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m.
A host of top-end NBA talent has opted to not participate this summer, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. James, fresh off delivering the Cleveland Cavaliers their first NBA championship earlier this month, would have been playing in his fourth Olympics.
Despite the opt-outs, the United States remains an overwhelming to win a third straight Olympic gold medal.
“He’s been to three Olympics,” Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski told the News & Observer on Friday. “In some respects, it’s been above the call of duty. He’s been one of the key people in the evolution of USA Basketball: His commitment, his leadership. But also, he’s been to, I think, six straight (NBA) finals, and that’s a lot. There’s a passing of a baton, the torch, so to speak. I was texting with him yesterday, and I just thanked him for his service. We’re fine with that. That’s just a matter of, it’s time to move on, just like Pop (Gregg Popovich) will take over for me.”
Krzyzewski, who has had multiple off-season surgeries, will be coaching in his fourth and final Olympics before Popovich becomes head coach. The latter’s first international competition will be the 2019 FIBA World Cup (formerly World Championships).
Krzyzewski is 75-1 as Team USA head coach, with the one loss coming in 2006 World Championships semifinal to Greece.
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