With the 2015-16 NBA season in the books, the next thing to look forward to is the Rio Olympic Games. Rather than having to wait until late October to see competitive basketball, we will be able to see some of the best players in the world play their hearts out for their country.
For Team USA, anything less than a Gold medal would be considered a failure. While the level of basketball around the world has improved over the years, there is no doubt the Americans are the favorites to leave with some shiny new hardware.
This year’s version of Team USA will look a little different with many of the players withdrawing from consideration. However, Coach K will still have a stellar group of players and the Warriors will be well represented. It was officially announced that Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes will be participate in the Summer games. Here’s an excerpt from the official press release:
Warriors forwards Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson have been selected to participate on the 2016 USA Basketball National Team that will compete in the 2016 Olympic Games, which will be held from August 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it was announced today. The Warriors are the only NBA team with three representatives on the Olympic squad.
In preparation for the Olympics, Team USA will play five domestic exhibition games as part of the USA Basketball Showcase, including a contest at Oracle Arena on July 26 (7 p.m. PDT). To purchase tickets visit usab.com/showcase.
While there had been some rumors about the roster, today it becomes official. This won’t be easy path to the gold, but Coach K is one of the best in the business. He will need to find the right rotations and build this team’s chemistry in a matter of weeks, but luckily he has done it before and understand what it takes.
For all you local Bay Area fans, you will get a chance to see Green, Thompson and Barnes in red, white and blue at Oracle Arena for an exhibition game on July 26th.
#UNITE pic.twitter.com/F9pelG38a8
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) June 27, 2016
Can't wait for this experience. Honored to represent my country and bring home that gold medal. #USABMNT #UNITE pic.twitter.com/oVbVYR2yXY
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 27, 2016
Honored to represent Team USA this summer. Let's bring home the GOLD!! #UNITE #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/QdDLE9yncm
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) June 27, 2016