DeMarcus Cousins may have a chance to represent his country during the next Summer Olympics. According to multiple reports, Cousins is among the 28 players added to USA Basketball’s 2014-16 player pool.
Cousins and others will be eligible to play in this year’s World Basketball Cup tournament, taking place in Spain this summer. They will also be eligible to be picked for the 2016 Men’s National Team, which will compete in the next summer games taking place in Rio de Janeiro in two years.
Along with Cousins, Damian Lillard, Paul George, James Harden, Stephen Curry and LaMarcus Aldridge have reportedly also been added the USA Basketball pool. Last year, Kevin Durant and Kevin Love both committed to playing for Team USA in the 2014 World Basketball Cup. The entire player pool will be announced tomorrow.
The Sacramento Kings starting center has participated in Team USA activities for the previous two years. In 2012, Cousins was invited to be a member of the USA Select Team, a group of players that scrimmaged against the Men’s National Team in preparation for the London Olympics. Last year, Cousins was among 28 young players who participated in Team USA training camp in Las Vegas.
“I think he came in with a great attitude,” USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo said last summer of Cousins’ performance in USA Basketball training camp. “He’s worked extremely hard. We’re very pleased with what we’ve seen. And I hope this helps him in every way, not only with USA Basketball, but with also his career as it goes forward and I think it’s been a real healthy thing for him.”
In his fourth year in the NBA, Cousins is having a career season. The Kings center is averaging 23.1 points and 11.7 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game. He has also recorded a league-best 15 straight double-doubles this season, besting the previous high of 13 set by both Chris Paul and Love earlier this year. Cousins’ double-double streak is also the longest of its kind in Sacramento era history, besting a previous record of 13 set by LaSalle Thompson.
Hearing: DeMarcus Cousins, LaMarcus Aldridge and Steph Curry have all earned spots in USA Basketball's 2014 player pool to be announced THU
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 22, 2014
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USA Basketball's 28-man pool on Thursday will also include Paul George, Anthony Davis, James Harden — likely World Cup '14 participants.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 22, 2014
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Warriors guard Stephen Curry amongst players on the USA roster, source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 22, 2014
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Add Blazers guard Damian Lillard to USA roster, source said. @Dame_Lillard @visitoakland
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 22, 2014
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