Two Pistons And A Spartan Invited To Try Out For The USA Olympic Basketball Team

The USA Basketball team will be loaded this year for a run for the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and three guys with Michigan ties will be among the ones toughening them up.

USA Basketball announced the 25 college and pro players invited to its Olympic basketball camp this summer. These 25 will be train with and challenge the USA National team, which is made up of the NBA's elite like LeBron James.

Denzel Valentine of Michigan State University was among only five college players invited. Valentine is expected to go very early in the upcoming NBA draft. He concluded his college career by being named National Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, USA Today and the Associated Press. He was also the Naismith Julius Erving Award winner and a finalist for teh Wooden Award.

Also making the cut, were the Detroit Pistons' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson. Caldwell-Pope was second on the Pistons in scoring, while Johnson, a 19 year old rookie, earned respect as one of the team's toughest defenders.

The USA Select Team will have the privilege of training with the USA International Team July 18-21 as they prepare to challenge for the gold in Rio. The team also features some of the most highly rated players from college basketball who figure to make an impact in the NBA.

One of the best players in the world, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, has already announced he will not be making the trip to Rio this year.

The USA Select team consists of the following players as reported by USA Basketball:

Malcolm Brogdon (University of Virginia)

Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)

Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings)

Kris Dunn (Providence College)

Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic)

Jerami Grant (Philadelphia 76ers)

Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets)

Rodney Hood (Utah Jazz)

Brandon Ingram(Duke University)

Brice Johnson (University of North Carolina)

Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves)