USA Basketball continues to prepare for the 2016 Rio Olympics. After a week of camp in which old faces and new got together to do some drills and get to know each other, it’s time for the showcase. Two teams comprised of 10 players each will square off in an exhibition on Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. ET. The scrimmage has little impact on who will ultimately make the team, but it will allow coaches to see how players interact and the fans to see some of the best in the world (and C.J. Watson) compete.
USA Basketball Showcase time, TV schedule, rosters and more
The USA Basketball mini-camp wraps up with a showcase game between 10 of the best players in the world.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
While there were some absences this year in terms of a full commitment to the camp, almost everyone that has been involved with USA Basketball in the recent past has at least made an appearance. That participation from stars ensures the possibility to assemble a potentially devastating squad in the quest for the gold medal in 2016. The program has also added veterans that haven't competed at the highest international level in the past, such as Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge.
The U.S. national team won't compete in FIBA Americas this summer, as it punched its ticket to Rio by winning the FIBA World Cup on 2014. This is the only game USA Basketball will play this year, and some of the stars that attended the camp won't suit up.
It's worth noting that this is the first Team USA intrasquad exhibition since Paul George's devastating leg injury cut last year's short. While the atmosphere will likely be more casual than ever after that moment, it should be an entertaining match.
How to watch the showcase
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Place: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas NV
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: WatchESPN
Rosters
Blue Team
Elfrid Payton (Orlando Magic)
Coach: Monty Williams
White Team
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
C.J. Watson (Orlando Magic)
Coach: Tom Thibodeau
In camp but not playing: Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls), Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies), Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), James Harden (Houston Rockets), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kevin Love (Celveland Cavaliers), Chandler Parsons (Dallas Mavericks), John Wall (Washington Wizards), Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).
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