Linsanity has continued into the offseason as New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin was one of the 13 players chosen for the USA Select Team that train against Team USA in advance of the Olympics.
The players were revealed Monday by USA Basketball. The baker’s dozen includes point guards and top overall picks Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Wall of the Washington Wizards.
Lin, whose rise from obscurity to stardom earlier this season transcended basketball, missed the playoffs while recuperating from knee surgery. He was close to returning to the court when the Knicks were eliminated earlier this month.
The Select Team will train and compete against Team USA during its training camp from July 6-12 in Las Vegas. Lin will be entirely rehabilitated from his surgery.
Irving and Wall will be joined by guards DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors; forwards Ryan Anderson of the Orlando Magic, DeJuan Blair of the San Antonio Spurs, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs; and forward-centers DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings and Derrick Favors of the Utah Jazz.
The Select Team will be jointly coached by 2010 World Championships assistant Jay Triano and Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins.