Rio Olympics 2016: Chicago Bulls Star Derrick Rose Doubtful for Summer Games in Brazil
Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose is considered as a shoo-in for the U.S. men's national team that will play at the 2016 Olympic Games, but the former NBA Most Valuable Player remains undecided about participating in the upcoming camp.
Rose, who has been hobbled by knee injuries over the past several seasons, played for the national team during the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain last year, where he helped his country win the title.
Rose, who played in just 51 regular-season games after sustaining his third major knee injury, previously said that he is willing to play in Rio, but he is now unsure because of the chance to rest longer to keep himself fresh.
The 26-year-old superstar also helped the team take the title during the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and was also scheduled to play in 2012 London Olympics, but was forced to sit out after sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee during the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
According to ESPN Chicago, the Bulls have nothing to do with Rose's thinking because they have been supportive of their superstar's previous decision to play for the national team. The decision will be made by Rose alone without being influenced by his team.
Rose has few days left to decide because the USA national team pool will hold a three-day minicamp in Las Vegas on Aug. 11. USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo recently announced that players who wants to be considered for the 2016 Rio Olympics should attend the minicamp.
Injured players like Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder expressed interest in playing in Brazil. In order to be considered, they will have to attend the minicamp even if they are not capable of participating in the drills.
Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, Russell Westbrook of the Thunder, Kyrie Irving of the Cavaliers, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson of the Warriors, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers and James Harden of the Houston Rockets are also expected to attend.
ESPN also reported that Harden's teammate, Dwight Howard, confirmed that he will attend the upcoming Las Vegas minicamp. The superstar center was also considered a shoo-in during the 2012 London Olympics, but he withdrew from consideration due to a back injury.
The report also indicated that Los Angeles Clippers playmaker Chris Paul, who played during the 2008 and 2012 Summer Games, will travel to Las Vegas to participate in the minicamp.
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