Stephen Curry withdraws from 2016 USA Olympic Team

Golden State Warriors guard and NBA MVP Stephen Curry announced that he has withdrawn from the United States 2016 Men's Olympic Basketball Team, citing injury concerns.

Curry released the following statement:

“After a great deal of internal thought and several discussions with my family, the Warriors and my representatives, I’ve elected to withdraw my name from the list of eligible players on Team USA’s preliminary roster for the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil.  I recently informed Jerry Colangelo of this decision.”

“My previous experiences with USA Basketball have been incredibly rewarding, educational and enjoyable, which made this an extremely difficult decision for me and my family. However, due to several factors – including recent ankle and knee injuries – I believe this is the best decision for me at this stage of my career.   It’s an incredible honor to represent your country and wear ‘USA’ on your chest, but my primary basketball-related objective this summer needs to focus on my body and getting ready for the 2016-17 NBA season.”

Fortunately for fans of USA Basketball, the program has the depth and talent to survive such a loss.

USA Men's National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo released the following statement regarding Stephen Curry's announcement:

"Since Steph's recent injuries, I've been in contact with him and I was aware that this decision was a strong possibility.  We appreciate Steph and his agent, Jeff Austin, keeping USA Basketball updated on his decision process."

"Obviously we are disappointed that Steph will not be available this summer, but we understand these situations arise and we are fully supportive of his decision. Steph is a two-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist who has a lot of equity with USA Basketball and has made great contributions since he first began playing the United States at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship. Steph has always represented his country in an exemplary manner, and we are sorry that he won't be able to be with us this summer."

USA Basketball names 2016 Men's Select Team

USA Basketball today announced 25 players have been chosen for the 2016 USA Men’s Select Team that will train July 18-21 with the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The Select Team features 15 players owning USA Basketball experience and includes seven members of the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie first and second teams.

“The 2016 USA Basketball Select Team continues to our tradition of featuring some of the game’s brightest and most promising young players. Participation in this camp provides them with valuable experience at the USA Basketball National Team level, while helping prepare the 2016 USA National Team for its upcoming international competition. For many of the Select Team players this is a continuation of their USA Basketball experiences and for others it is an introduction into our pipeline,” said Colangelo.

The 2016 USA Select Team features eight players who completed their rookie NBA season in 2015-16, nine who wrapped up their second NBA season, three third-year NBA players and five players who are eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft.

Selected for the 2016 USA Basketball Select squad were: 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) and Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who on Oct. 23, 2015, was named head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team for the 2017-20 quadrennium, will oversee the Select Team, and Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka and Villanova University head coach Jay Wright will serve as assistant coaches.

 “Being chosen for the Select Team is an honor and it is an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball’s National Team program in the future," said Colangelo.  "Current national team players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, as well as many other outstanding players, got their USA National Team start through a Select Team."

Members of the USA Select Team will train daily with the USA National Team from July 18-21 (12:00-2:00 p.m. PDT) at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center. All practices are closed to the public.

Booker and Okafor were named to the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie first team, while Cauley-Stein, Mudiay, Russell, Turner and Winslow earned All-Rookie second team honors. Additionally, LaVine and Smart earned 2014-15 All-Rookie second team honors, while Oladipo was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie first team and Zeller earned All-Rookie second team honors.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services