Lowry, DeRozan joining U.S. Olympic basketball team
Raptors will make their Olympic debuts; James opts out
Toronto Raptors guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are reportedly joining Team USA for the Olympics.
The news was first reported by The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania.
Toronto guard Kyle Lowry has accepted an invitation to play for Team USA in the Rio Olympics, league sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVertical">@TheVertical</a>.
—@WojVerticalNBAToronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan has committed to Team USA for the Rio Olympics, league sources tell The Vertical.
—@ShamsCharaniaDeRozan was already named to USA Basketball's list of 31 finalists for the Olympic team before committing to the national squad today. The Compton, Calif., native was a member of the 2014 World Cup championship squad.
Lowry was not named to the United States' preliminary roster released in January. Since then, the 11-year veteran helped lead the Raptors to the franchise's best regular-season record as well as the Eastern Conference final.
The U.S. was in need of a point guard with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard ruled out of the Olympics with plantar fasciitis.
Several other high-profile players have also bowed out, including NBA MVP Steph Curry and Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook.
Wojnarowski also reported that Carmelo Anthony will join the team as well. The New York Knicks forward has won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team.
Anthony previously said he planned to play. "Listen, I've been with USA Basketball since I was 16, 17 years old. Can't stop now," he said to The Associated Press.
Carmelo Anthony has committed to chasing his third Olympic gold medal for Team USA this summer in Rio, league sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVertical">@TheVertical</a>.
—@WojVerticalNBAESPN's Marc Stein reported the following roster updates for the U.S. team:
- Confirmed: Kevin Durant, Paul George, Draymond Green, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler and DeAndre Jordan
- Out: Andre Drummond
Durant won gold in 2012. George, Green, Cousins, Butler and Jordan would all be making their Olympic debuts.
Team USA, sources say, remains hopeful Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson will ultimately say YES on the Olympics after their long playoff runs
—@ESPNSteinLineLeBron out, Americans wait on Kyrie
LeBron James will not play at the Olympics.
Agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Thursday night that James informed USA Basketball he has withdrawn from consideration.
The 31-year-old James wanted to wait until after the season until making a decision about Rio, which would have been his fourth Olympics.
The Americans are still awaiting a decision from Kyrie Irving but have solidified 10 of their 12 roster spots. The roster is to be selected Monday.
The Associated Press is also reporting that Golden State Warriors guard is committed to play, in addition to the players named by Stein.
Kawhi Leonard passed on the opportunity to play, with the San Antonio Spurs announcing his withdrawal in a news release.
"This was a very difficult decision. It's an honour to have been considered for the team and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for USA Basketball," Leonard said.
With files from The Associated Press