Report: Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard Recruited Team USA Players for Tokyo Olympics

Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant reportedly played a significant role in filling out the men's USA basketball team for the Tokyo Olympics. 

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, two of the squad's most prominent members were instrumental in recruiting players. 

"When we talk to players about committing to the team, one of the things they always want to know is who else is committed," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told Windhorst. "Lillard was one of the first and it was crucial."

Lillard and Durant were two of the first players who committed to play for Team USA in the upcoming Olympics. 

This will mark Gregg Popovich's first Olympics as head coach of USA Basketball. 

According to Windhorst, Draymond Green, Bradley Beal and Jerami Grant were among the players who made the final Team USA roster whom Lillard and Durant had a hand in recruiting. 

Windhorst noted that Colangelo, who has been director of USA Basketball since 2005, has a long history with both superstars.

Durant began his career with the national team in 2010 for the FIBA World Championship. He led the U.S. to gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. The 11-time All-Star has averaged 19.1 points with a 53.1 field-goal percentage and 5.4 rebounds per game in 45 appearances for USA Basketball. 

"He's had a lot of great success with USA Basketball, and I think playing in Tokyo was something he really wanted," Colangelo told Windhorst about Durant's commitment. 

Lillard has never been part of the national team in his career. He was one of the final cuts in 2014 before the FIBA World Cup in part because the team decided to go with three traditional centers in DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond and Mason Plumlee.

Prior to the 2016 Olympics, Lillard withdrew from consideration for the team in order to rest a foot injury he dealt with during the previous NBA season.