It takes a special talent to be invited to try out for Team USA before ever stepping foot on the court during an NBA game. In 2007, the invitation was extended to Kevin Durant. Durant accepted the invitation but, as expected, fell short of making the team. This year, Kentucky phenom Anthony Davis has been invited to work out with the U.S. Olympic team. While Team USA is in need of size with Dwight Howard injured, Andrew Bynum not interested, and LaMarcus Aldridge potentially out, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo says it is unlikely that Davis will make the final roster.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Colangelo described Davis’ chances as a “long shot” before adding that it could help that the team is loaded with scorers and deeper in the back court than the front court.
“He’s not a guard competing for a guard position where we’re reasonably deep,” Colangelo said. “We don’t have any shortage of scorers. Anthony has a chance to make his mark sooner rather than later just by rebounding, defending, getting up and down the court, being a team player. He doesn’t have to score.”
Colangelo said the chances are slim because Davis is inexperienced, which will in all likelihood keep him off the roster. With only 12 players traveling to London, a kid fresh out of college would have to blow the coaching staff away to be chosen over other NBA veterans. The last thing you want to do is hurt a player’s confidence before he even plays an NBA game, so we expect Davis to remain in the States. The experience, however, can only help his progression.
H/T SLAM Online via Pro Basketball Talk
Photo credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE
