At first, Mason Plumlee’s trip to Las Vegas was expected to be nothing more than a chance for the Nets’ big man to get his feet wet with the US Men’s National Team.
But now, after several withdrawals by expected members of the squad headed to the FIBA World Cup in Spain beginning late next month, it suddenly has a chance to mean a lot more.
Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of USA Basketball as well as managing director of the national team, said in recent interviews the national team pool will not expand to include other big men around the league after stars Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge all pulled out in the days leading up to the team’s training camp Monday.
Instead, Colangelo said that in addition to DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond and Kenneth Faried — four big men originally invited to try out for the national team — members of the select team also would be considered for roster spots.
Even after Colangelo backtracked somewhat by extending a late invitation to Paul Millsap Sunday, Plumlee – along with his brother, Suns center Miles Plumlee, Bulls draft pick Doug McDermott and Warriors forward Draymond Green – all had a chance to potentially play their way onto the roster, which is coached by the Plumlee’s college coach, Mike Krzyzewski.
Mason Plumlee is coming off a strong rookie season, finishing with averages of 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 65.9 percent from the field.
He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and was an All-Rookie First Team selection.
He’ll be joined on the select team by Knicks guard Tim Hardaway, Jr., who also had an impressive rookie season that saw him average 10.2 points per game while shooting 36.3 percent from 3-point range.
After training camp, the national team will play Brazil at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 16 before playing the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico on Aug. 20 and 22 at Madison Square Garden.