Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard Commit To USA Basketball For 2020 Summer Olympics
Sep 18, 2019, 11:13 AM | Updated: 11:19 am
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Now that the FIBA World Cup of basketball is over, NBA players are starting to verbally commit to the USA Basketball for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Two players that have committed to the team for the games in 2020, include Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard.
Other players to commit to being available for the Olympics is Golden State Warriors duo Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Lillard, Curry and Green were some of the notable names that opted to not play for the United States during the FIBA World Cup. In that tournament, the U.S. finished in seventh place.
Damian Lillard commits to Team USA for 2020 Tokyo Olympics https://t.co/xFFZW4pfD7
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) September 18, 2019
Shortly after the United States finished the tournament, Mitchell was quick to commit to the team. He played in all eight games and averaged 13.1 points per game along with 4.3 rebounds and 5 assists. Mitchell shot 46 percent from the field and 40 percent from downtown in 27.4 minutes per game.
The seventh place showing by the United States in China was disappointing considering the success the team has had in the last decade. Managing Director for USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo is already looking forward to the Olympics.
Jerry Colangelo spoke with @SIChrisMannix on how Team USA will recalibrate for the 2020 Olympics https://t.co/s9MWDf5Luc pic.twitter.com/WIqhyyH4WW
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 17, 2019
He also had issues with NBA superstars opting to not play in 2019 for various reasons. Those players include Lillard, Anthony Davis, James Harden, C.J. McCollum, Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan among others.
