Thanks Kevin Durant!
Well that didn't take long.
Only hours after a report surfaced that Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay could be added to the Team USA as a Kevin Durant replacement, we have official confirmation.
USA Basketball adding Kings forward Rudy Gay to their World Cup roster.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) August 8, 2014Hearing Part II: Team USA has secured the services of Sacramento's Rudy Gay to join roster and compete for FIBA World Cup spot
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 8, 2014Rudy Gay added to 2014 Men's National Team, joining Kings teammate DeMarcus Cousins. #USABMNTpic.twitter.com/d9oTeT88cW
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) August 8, 2014Rudy joins DeMarcus Cousins as Kings players hoping to join Team USA in Spain for the 2014 FIBA World Cup and defend America's 2010 championship. Gay brings length, athleticism, and the ability to score the basketball at the wing position. All of which are areas Team USA took a hit in when Kevin Durant withdrew his name from consideration. As a member of the 2010 team that took home the championship in Turkey and also a finalist for the 2012 Olympic squad, Rudy certainly has experience in Krzyzewski's system.
You really can't put a price tag on this kind of thing. Gay joining Cousins on the squad could be ENORMOUS for a rebuilding Kings team that's still trying to find an identity. Increased national exposure aside, they'll have a chance to play in a winning system alongside some of the best players in the world.
The two Kings could have an opportunity to learn first hand what it really means to lead on a winning team and to trust the players around them to succeed. We often talk about the need for DeMarcus to embrace his role and really emerge as the leader on this young Kings team and the same could be said for Rudy. Bringing a little bit of that "Dream Team" magic (and maybe a gold medal or two) back with them to Sacramento, ain't a bad place to start.
Much like Cousins, Gay's ultimate inclusion on the final roster is anything but a given. At this time Rudy has only been added to the player pool and will still have to compete for a roster spot on the FIBA World Cup Team. It's also entirely possible that Rudy's inclusion could hurt DeMarcus' chances to ultimately make the team. But I don't wanna hear that noise!
Please excuse me while I imagine the possibility that TWO Sacramento Kings could be playing for Team USA!!!
** UPDATE **
It looks as though Rudy actually reached out and made himself available to the team. Jerry Colangelo had this to say about Rudy's recent inclusion.
"I received a call last night indicating that Rudy was available to join the National Team if Coach K and I felt he could help," said Colangelo. "We both felt he would be a valuable addition because of his outstanding skills and the fact that he is so familiar with USA Basketball and our national team program. Rudy has been an integral member of USA Basketball since 2005 and was a tremendous contributor to our 2010 World Championship Team. He has a lot of equity in the USA Basketball National Team."
Also, Rudy Gay is a great American! How cool is this quote?
"To see how Paul George went down, I feel like it’s not only for the country but we have to do it for him, too," USAB's Rudy Gay told Yahoo.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) August 8, 2014