Rudy Gay Joins Team USA Roster

With Paul George and Kevin Durant out, USA Basketball added Rudy Gay to the roster today.

Image via sikids.com

In the wake of the devastating injury to Paul George and yesterday’s withdrawal of Kevin Durant, Team USA has added Rudy Gay to their roster in the buildup to the FIBA World Cup.

Gay immediately fills a need for the Americans, who were looking for a forward who could play either the 3 or the 4 spot. After Durant signaled he was going to leave the squad yesterday, Gay reportedly contacted USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski to let them know he was ready, willing, and able to join the squad.

In a statement, Colangelo said that:


"[Coach K and I] 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."

A 20-plus PPG scorer for Toronto and Sacramento last season, Gay should provide a big offensive lift to a team that just lost two of its go-to offensive players within the last week. He’ll join the team in Chicago for training camp on August 14, and should see his first game action in the August 16 exhibition against Brazil.

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[via ESPN]

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