Rookies McDermott, Smart Chosen for USA Select Team

Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott, coming off a First Team selection at the recently completed Las Vegas Summer League, is among two rookie rookie chosen for the USA Select Team announced Tuesday.

McDermott averaged 18.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in four games in Las Vegas. He was joined by Boston Celtics rookie guard Marcus Smart, who averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists over five games in the Orlando Summer League.

The Select Team is a group of players younger than the USA National Team. They work out with and scrimmage against the National Team, gaining valuable exposure to international basketball with the chance to be chosen for a future National Team. 

“Being chosen for the Select Team is an honor and an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball’s National Team program in the future,” USA basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a statament. “In the past, current national team players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, as well as many other outstanding players got their USA National Team start through the Select Team.”

All 13 players chosen are on their rookie contracts. All but Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green were first-round picks.

There are three sets of teammates on the Select Team. McDermott was joined by Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, Green was joined by fellow forward Harrison Barnes and the Orlando Magic placed guard Victor Oladipo and forward Tobias Harris.

Another interesting tandem is the brother duo of Phoenix Suns center Miles Plumlee and Brooklyn Nets big Mason Plumlee.

The squad is rounded out by guards Tim Haradaway Jr. of the New York Knicks, Trey Burke of the Utah Jazz and Dion Waiters of the Cleveland Cavaliers and center Cody Zeller of the Charlotte Hornets.

The Select Team will practice for four days with the National Team beginning Monday. On Aug. 1, the teams will scrimmage against each other at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The National Team currently has 19 invitees and must pare down to 12 before the start of the FIBA World Cup of Basketball on Aug. 30 in Spain.