Following the USA Basketball mini-camp last week, John Wall already has a feeling he won’t be on the roster for next summer’s Olympics. With other options at the guard position having already won gold medals, Wall doesn’t see how there will be room for him on Team USA, though he’d still like to make the cut. More from CSN Washington:
…Wall is directly competing with fellow point guards Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and Mike Conley Jr. Heavy hitters indeed.
If history is a guide, three point guards will be part of the 12-man roster. Barring the unforeseen, two of those spots are locked up. Paul was a member of the 2012 Olympic gold medal squad. Curry helped the US triumph at the 2014 World Cup and then led the Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship.
“Oh, yeah. Ten times out of 10 they’ll be on the team,” Wall said when presented with the premise during a discussion Saturday. He spoke with CSNwashington.com at his charitable foundation’s back to school event for local kids in Washington.
Before the three PG factoid could be fully stated to Wall, he blurted out a name.
“Kyrie.”
Irving also played on the 2014 team, not to mention at Duke for Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski. He’s also currently a teammate in Cleveland with king maker LeBron James, who is another 2016 lock if wants in.
“I’ll be out of the picture,” said Wall through a laugh and without any noticeable trace of resentment.
That wasn’t the case a year ago in the exact same Washington Boys and Girls club. Back then, Wall oozed frustration when discussing having been cut from the 2014 World Cup.
Perhaps this latest response represents maturity, the kind he’s showing in organizing a minicamp for the Wizards. Perhaps the 24-year-old is just keeping it real.
“I’m just being honest,” Wall continued. “Chris Paul has already won one (Olympic gold medal). Steph Curry had an amazing last year and just won the World Cup. Kyrie just won the World Cup. Russell will probably be on the team. They’ll use him as a two-guard.
“So, I probably won’t make it.”
