Photo credit: Kings.com

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been chosen to participate with the USA Men’s National Basketball Team. He is one of 28 players selected to be part of the team’s pool. The 2016 USA Olympic Team will be filled with players from the National Team’s player pool.

 Cousins is having an outstanding season averaging 22.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He has posted 28 double-doubles and had a streak of 15 in a row. That streak was just broken last night in Houston after Cousins rolled his ankle.

“I am humbled by the invitation and opportunity to compete for a spot on Team USA,” Cousins said. “It would be a huge honor for me to represent my country.”

Cousins will have his work cut out for him in order to make the team. The 2014-16 USA Basketball Men’s National Team roster includes: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Bradley Beal, Tyson Chandler, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Paul George, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kyle Korver, David Lee, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.

The USA Men’s National team is coached by Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski. Assisting Krzyzewski will be Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and New Orleans head coach Monty Williams.