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The Unites States Men’s National Team will be going to Spain this summer to compete in the World Cup of Basketball, but first they must head to Las Vegas for training camp. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were amongst the 19 players chosen to participate in the USA training camp, but only 12 will be selected to travel to Spain and represent the red, white, and blue.
The 19 players selected include some of the NBA’s brightest stars, but they need to practice against high level competition in order to prepare themselves for international play. USA basketball brings in the Select Team to practice and play against the national team hopefuls. According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, a few more Warriors will head to Las Vegas as part of the USA Select Team:
Harrison Barnes & Draymond Green have been added to the 13man U.S. Select team that will train vs. the national squad in Las Vegas next week
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) July 21, 2014
The USA Select Team is chosen to train with the national team, but more importantly to help USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski trim the field to 12 and get the players used to playing with one another. Although the USA Select Team are not in contention to make the final roster, it is quite an accomplishment to be selected. The players are usually chosen because they might be next in line to represent the national team in the near future, or could also become alternates in case an injury were to happen. This will be great experience for both Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes, competing against some of the best players in the NBA will give them great confidence going into the season.
A total of four Warriors will be at the USA training camp, which just comes to show the level of talent the Warriors possess. Barnes and Green will be able to help their teammates Curry and Thompson prepare for the World Cup of Basketball, but they will also have an opportunity to stand out and leave a good impression with coach Krzyzewski and managing director Jerry Colangelo.
Awesome! I’m happy for Harrison Barnes! Great news!