Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers were named to USA Basketball’s player pool for the National Team in 2018-2020.
Those two local pros, along with Indiana products Mike Conley Jr., Eric Gordon, and Gordon Hayward were amongst the 35-man group that will participate in minicamp in Las Vegas July 25-27.
This is Turner’s first time being included on the National Team. He had previously spent time with USA Basketball on the Select Team, the rising stars that prepares the National Team for competition. Paul George told me in July, 2016 that the National Team guys were most impressed with Turner’s play and said he most looked like he was ready to be elevated.
More than anything, it’s excellent for the individuals to participate with these caliber of players from which they can only benefit. Beyond the court, they can pick other stars’ mind and try to take away something from some of the elites. There’s no guarantee that either of the Pacers or the local products will make the 12-man team that competes overseas, but that’s the goal.
Paul George won an Olympic gold medal with the 2016 team, and Gordon Hayward would have if not for the birth of his second child which kept him at home.
From this bunch, which will be coached by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, 12 players will represent Team USA in the 2019 World Cup and then the 2020 Olympics. It’s likely that the two groups will be very different.
The most intriguing name included on the list: LeBron James. The best player in the world, who is currently in his 15th year in the NBA, had previously said how he was likely done with Olympic competition.
The complete roster:
Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks)
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Jimmy Butler (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Mike Conley Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets)
Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons)
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
Tobias Harris (Los Angeles Clippers)
Gordon Hayward (Boston Celtics)
Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers)
Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers)
Chris Paul (Houston Rockets)
Isaiah Thomas (Los Angeles Lakers)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers)
Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets)
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
[Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]