Zion Williamson, the star of the New Orleans Pelicans, was placed on the potential list of the US team for the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, one of the 15 names added as the team prepares for the uncertainty of the list, while heading towards a summer without previous.
Julius Randle of the New York Knicks and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, both for the first time All-Stars this season as Williamson, were among those added to coach Gregg Popovich’s roster. There were already 42 players on the list, which has now risen to 57 while US Basketball is trying to offer options for the 12-man team.
There is a good chance that more players will be considered at the opening of the training camp in early July. The first game of the US team in Tokyo is scheduled for July 25, just three days after the most recent possible end date of the NBA Finals.
U.S. team general manager Jerry Colangelo lobbied the U.S. Olympic Committee and FIBA, which is leading the Olympic tournament, to allow changes to the roster even and perhaps even during the Olympics to accommodate players who may be involved in deep playoffs.
Usually, the lists are set a few weeks before the Olympics. No official decision has been made.
“It’s important to continue to be flexible and consider all the players who can contribute to our efforts to win the best possible team in the United States,” Colangelo said. “Having a larger group of players than we normally have is essential because of all the uncertainties we face about availability.”
Among the names added to the list are Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat and Christian Wood of the Houston Rockets, both of whom have no history with the national team.
The other 55 players now on the list have played for the national team or taken part in training camps in the past. Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen, Detroit Pistons’ Jerami Grant, Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson, Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet, Rockets’ John Wall and Eric Gordon, Milwaukee Bucks’ were also added to the list on Thursday. Jrue Holiday and Brooklyn Nets’ DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.