Post by SurferGirl on Jun 7, 2016 17:31:11 GMT -8
June 7, 2016 -- The National Basketball Association's Most Improved Player may be helping the United States Men's National Team get ready for the games this summer in Rio.
Blazers guard CJ McCollum was one of 25 players to receive an invite for the team, which is designed to practice with and scrimmage against the Olympic team in preparation for the Olympics. Current Blazers Damian Lillard and Mason Plumlee have received invites in previous years, as it pertains to the U.S. National teams.
McCollum was voted as the NBA's Most Improved Player following the season; a year in which his scoring average increased by 14 points per game from 2014-15. In all, he averaged 20.8 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 80 regular season games.
In the playoffs, he averaged 20.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals per game on a Blazers team which advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals before being eliminated by the defending champion Golden St. Warriors.
McCollum has yet to decide whether to accept the invitation, but has indicated he will do so following the NBA Draft, which is scheduled for Thursday, June 23.
The list of invitees to the Select Team is comprised of eight players who have just completed their rookie NBA seasons, nine who have finished their second season, five who have finished their third season, and five players who are eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft. The following are the Select Team Invitees.
Malcolm Brogdon (University of Virginia)
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit Pistons
Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings)
Kris Dunn (Providence College)
Aaron Gordon(Orlando Magic)
Jerami Grant (Philadelphia 76ers)
Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets)
Rodney Hood (Utah Jazz)
Brandon Ingram (Duke University)
Brice Johnson (University of North Carolina)
Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons)
Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves)
CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers)
Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls)
Emmanuel Mudiay(Denver Nuggets)
Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers)
Jabari Parker (Milwaukee Bucks)
Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers)
D'Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers)
Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)
Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers)
Denzel Valentine (Michigan State University)
Justise Winslow (Miami Heat)
Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).
San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich will coach the Select Team this summer (he will assume the head coaching duties of the National Team next summer). The assistant coaches will be Spurs assistant coach and former Blazer Ime Udoka, and Villanova University head coach Jay Wright.
The 2016 Summer Olympics kick off on August 5 with the Opening Ceremonies televised on NBA. This year's Games are being held in Rio de Janero, Brazil.
- JBH
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