Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins Named to USA Men's Select Team

USA Basketball announced today the 13 members of its Select Team and named Sacramento center, DeMarcus Cousins to the squad.

From USA Basketball's official release:

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“The USA Select Team was a vital part of the USA Men’s National Team’s training in 2007, 2008 and 2010, and again in 2012 we’ll utilize this team of select NBA players to help get our National Team ready for the very competitive summer that is ahead of us,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman.

“Being chosen for the Select Team is quite an honor, and it’s an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball’s National Team program in the future...”

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While being named to the Select Team doesn't mean an Olympic Bid for Cousins, it means a significant chance for Cousins to showcase his skills and compete for a spot should open one due to injury. The Select Team will serve as a practice squad for the official Olympic team.

Cousins' shot in the Select Team could also lead to a Olympic slot in 2016—many current players on the Olympic squad, include Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love—got their start on the Select Team. 

Other members of the Select Team includes Washington Wizards guard John Wall, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors, and New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin.