Numerous current NBA players were named to the Australian national team’s final 12-man roster for the Olympics, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc tweets. The team is headlined by Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes, Matisse Thybulle, Dante Exum and Josh Green.
Projected lottery pick Josh Giddey is not on the 12-man roster but has been named as one of three replacement players, Jonathan Givony of ESPN tweets. Giddey will travel to Las Vegas for Australia’s exhibition games, Givony adds. He’s currently rated No. 9 overall on ESPN’s Best Available list.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- LeBron James passed on the Olympics this year and it’s unlikely he’ll play for Team USA again, managing director Jerry Colangelo said on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin radio show (video link). “LeBron made choices these last couple of Olympics not to participate because he’s got a lot of things going on in his life,” Colangelo said. “So he put in his time, he made a contribution that is appreciated, but I think his time is over.” James’ last Olympic appearance came during the 2012 London Games.
- Belgian forward Nathan Missia-Dio became the ninth player to sign with Overtime Elite, according to a league press release. The new development league will begin play in September. Missia-Dio, a 6’6” forward, played two seasons for Espoirs Limoges in France’s Elite U21 League. He is ranked 13th by Eurospects.com among international prospects born in 2004.
- The Spurs are seeking a new naming-rights sponsor for their arena, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News tweets. Longtime sponsor AT&T won’t renew its current deal, which expires in the fall of 2022. AT&T has also sold off its 7.23% share of the team. Front Office Sports first reported the news.
Lol at the Lebron comment. You’ll be almost 40 by the next summer olympics in 2024. Unless you were just gonna be the old guy playing sparingly off the bench, that decision was already made for you. Father Time is still undefeated….although Brady is giving him a run for his money.
Where u seeing he said he would play in 2024. The little blurb about Bron said it’s unlikely he will play in the Olympics again. Don’t hate just to hate. Read what it says
The truth ain’t hate. Get over it.
When I look at LeBron’s numbers across the board in year 16, as well as seeing the play of Chris Paul – not to mention Tom Brady – I think the great Father Time is still well over .500, but certainly not undefeated anymore.
Sure, LeBron’s had some injuries, but when you look around the league you see age has nothing to do with all those injuries.
Actually his age has quite a bit to do with his injuries. He didn’t just miss 27 games this season, LeBron also missed 27 games his first season with the Lakers after turning 34. He had never missed more than 13 games in any previous season, missing a total of 71 games in his 15 seasons with Cleveland and Miami.
He has already missed 59 games in his first three seasons in LA (almost 20 a year).
Again, if there weren’t so many young players around the league with injuries, I’d believe LeBron’s were simply due to his. His numbers and status among the top players in the league clearly show Mr. Time is not defeating him.
AAU may be proving to be “undefeated” tho. These young NBA guys who have been playing year ‘round, non-stop since 4th grade… that’s what’s killing them, imo.
“LeBron made choices these last couple of Olympics not to participate because he’s got a lot of things going on in his life,” Colangelo said. “So he put in his time, he made a contribution that is appreciated, but I think his time is over.”
Translation: “LeBron is an old man now so he needs all the rest he can get in order to continue to perform at a high level. And, even then, who knows if his body will hold up at this age. Of course, he would never admit this in person so here I am making up an excuse. Kthxbye.”
Why should he “admit” that? Why should Colangelo? None of your businesses. Colangelo should have been replaced by now.
Never said he should admit it. It was a joke.
LeBron has his last ring. AD is brittle!
Last time I checked, six is still greater than four. LeBron’s a golden goat, not a true GOAT.
It be will be nice to not have to see LeBron’s sour pussed face the entire olympics. He’s a baller but tired of his antics.