USA Basketball Team Roster for 2016 Olympics: Damian Lillard Opts Out Due to Heel Injury; Final List Taking Form
Due to his continuous recovery from a heel problem, Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard decided to opt out of the Rio Olympics, narrowing down the list for potential players for Team USA.
What is Lillard's Injury?
The point guard decided to take some time to rest his body after suffering a plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation on the heel, late last year,. The 25-year-old was said to be sure of the spot on the 12-man roster before he announced his decision not to participate for August's Rio Games. He was also unable to play for some games of Portland due to his injury.
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Yahoo Sports' sources claimed Lillard was eager to join the roster and wanted to wait for a foot treatment he hoped would make him feel better. He, however, was informed that Team USA was already finalizing the roster, prompting him to release a final decision on his participation.
Lillard's Statistics Last Season
The Trail Blazers player could have been a big help to the U.S. team, especially as he had a great run last season with an average of 25.1 points, 6.8 assists and four rebounds per game.
Lillard's track record in the Olympics has already been proven since he was part of the USA lineup in 2013 and 2014. He was supposed to make a comeback this year after being included in the shortlist of players for the country's basketball delegation.
Who Also Opted Out of the Olympics?
Lillard's absence could be a big hit to Team USA especially after losing big names like Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and John Wall. NBA 2016 Finals MVP LeBron James is also expected not to join the games since he will rest after the tiring 7-game NBA finals series.
Who Will Play?
By next week, the 12 players for Team USA are expected to be named which could include Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant, Paul George and San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard.
Thirty-one finalists were included in the shortlist of players who could potentially play in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janerio Brazil from Aug. 5 to 21. Team USA is expected to start training by July 18.
Here is a complete list of the possible players who could get in to the lineup for the 2016 Olympics:
• Kevin Durant
• Jimmy Butler
• Paul George
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Carmelo Anthony
• Harrison Barnes
• Bradley Beal
• Mike Conley
• DeMar DeRozan
• Andre Drummond
• Kenneth Faried
• Rudy Gay
• Draymond Green
• Gordon Hayward
• Dwight Howard
• Andre Iguodala
• Kyrie Irving
• DeAndre Jordan
• Kawhi Leonard
• Damian Lillard
• Kevin Love
• Klay Thompson
