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New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson was placed on the U.S. team’s potential roster for the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, one of 15 names added as the team prepares for the list uncertainty as it heads into an unprecedented summer.
Julius Randle of the New York Knicks and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, both All-Stars for the first time this season as Williamson, were among those added to coach Gregg Popovich’s roster. There were already 42 players on the roster, which has now grown to 57 as USA Basketball tries to give itself options for the 12-man squad.
There is a good chance that more players will be considered when training camp opens in early July. Team USA’s first game in Tokyo is scheduled for July 25, just three days after the last possible end date for the NBA Finals.
Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo lobbied the United States Olympic Committee and FIBA, which hosts the Olympic tournament, to allow roster changes up to and possibly even during the Olympics to accommodate players who might be involved in deep playoffs.
As a rule, the lists are drawn up several weeks before the Olympic Games. No official decision has been made.
“It is important that we continue to remain flexible and consider all the players who can contribute to our efforts to field the best American team possible,” said Colangelo. “Having a larger pool of players than we normally have is essential due to all the uncertainties we face regarding availability.”
Among the names added to the roster are the Miami Heat’s Duncan Robinson and the Houston Rockets’ Christian Wood, both with no history with the national team.
The other 55 players now on the roster have played for the national team or attended training camps in the past. Atlanta Hawks Trae Young, Cleveland Cavaliers Jarrett Allen, Detroit Pistons Jerami Grant, Knicks Mitchell Robinson, Toronto Raptors Fred VanVleet, Rockets John Wall and Eric Gordon were also added to the roster on Thursday. , Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks and DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin of the Brooklyn Nets.
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