This summer is when USA Basketball brings in its prospects — guys it wants to get a closer look. Next summer Team USA will be heading off to Spain for the World Championships with a roster that could include a handful of the guys from this camp (mixed with some big name NBA stars).
USA Basketball formally released the list of invitees on Wednesday, although a number of them had already been leaked out):
Ryan Anderson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors)
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies)
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)
Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz)
Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls)
Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz)
Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers)
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)
Ty Lawson(Denver Nuggets)
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons)
Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets)
Larry Sanders(Milwaukee Bucks)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats)
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
Tyler Zeller (Cleveland Cavaliers).
Irving is one guy likely headed to Spain next summer — last summer as part of the USA Select team that practiced against the London-bound Team USA he turned a lot of heads. Plus, the former Duke player has a pretty good relationship with Coach K,
But other guys can fit, too. Shooting always matters so guys like Klay Thompson have value. Guys like Chandler Parsons have the kind of all-around game that could work well in international ball.
USA Basketball’s mini-camp that will be held July 22-25 in Las Vegas. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski will be joined by new assistant coaches Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams for the camp.