Donovan Mitchell Still Committed To USA Basketball For FIBA World Cup
Jul 23, 2019, 11:04 AM
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) is all smiles as he back-pedals up the court after nailing a three pointer during the Utah Jazz versus Denver Nuggets NBA game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
(Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – With nearly 10 players dropping out of contention with team USA for the upcoming FIBA World Cup of basketball tournament in China, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell remains committed to USA basketball.
The national team has been notified of nine players to this point that are going to skip playing for the United States to focus on their upcoming NBA season.
The nine players include New Orleans Pelicans forward and No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson, San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon and Portland Trail Blazers backcourt duo former Weber State guard Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Utah Jazz emerging star Donovan Mitchell is keeping his commitment to USA Basketball this summer, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 23, 2019
The United States national team led by Jerry Colangelo and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have so far invited 17 players that will compete for 12 spots on the roster.
Besides Mitchell, those players include Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, former Ute and current Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, former Jazzman and current Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker, Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks forward Julius Randle.
Mitchell has a very good chance of making the roster and is basically a shoe in if he wants to continue to pursue the opportunity to represent his country.
