Griffin and Anthony eye Team USA camp in reparation for Rio 2016

Jay Asser 10:10 27/07/2015
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  • Griffin in action.

    Blake Griffin and Carmelo Anthony plan to attend the upcoming USA Basketball minicamp in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. Anthony, however, isn’t expected to take part in any on-court activities as he’s still recovering from a knee surgery in February which ended his season.

    — Sports Pics (@AmazingSprtsPic) July 26, 2015

    The New York Knicks frontman will be joined by Griffin, as well as four members from the NBA champion Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes, according to ESPN.

    Last summer saw a number of big names withdraw from USAB in the lead-up to the FIBA World Cup, including Griffin who pulled out due to a back fracture a week before Paul George suffered his gruesome leg injury during a team scrimmage in August.

    While this summer’s minicamp runs from August 11-13 with an intrasquad scrimmage on the final day, the event has been touted as more of a summit of the 34 players in the USAB player pool than a serious competition.

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    Nevertheless, the minicamp is mandatory for players that want to be on the team’s roster for Rio next year.

    “I think it’s important for those who want to continue with us and be under consideration for ’16 to be with us in Las Vegas for a couple days,” USAB managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN.

    “It’s going to be low key. Light workouts, no contact and then play an all-star game. No concern about competitiveness. We’re not evaluating anyone.”

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