New York Knicks star Jeremy Lin not to be part of USA select team – NBA Update
Jeremy Lin will not be part of the USA Men’s Select team. The New York Knicks sensation pulled out of the team citing the free agency as a reason. Lin had earlier been named in the squad and will now be replaced by Jrue Holiday of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lin is a free agent and he cited this as a reason for withdrawing his name. Jeremy has been awarded the early bird rights with New York but still wanted to focus on the dealings and declined the invitation from USA Basketball.
"It was such an incredible honour to be selected, but I have withdrawn my name from the team because of my status as a free agent," he said in a statement released by USA Basketball on Monday night. "I hope to have the opportunity to participate with USA
Basketball at some point in the future."
Lin rose to prominence last season, coming from nowhere to become an on court leader of the New York Knicks in the absence of stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire. His sensational performances lifted the Knicks out of a slump and established him as
a star worldwide.
Apart from Lin, Greg Stiemsma of the Boston Celtics has also withdrawn his name from the team. Greg’s reasons were medical.
Players now comprising the USA Select team are: DeJuan Blair of San Antonio Spurs, DeMarcus Cousins of Sacramento Kings, DeMar DeRozan of Toronto Raptors, Derrick Favors of Utah Jazz, Paul George of Indiana Pacers, Taj Gibson of Chicago Bulls, Gordon Hayward
of Utah Jazz, Kyrie Irving of Cleveland Cavaliers, Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio Spurs, Lance Thomas of New Orleans Hornets, Klay Thompson of Golden State Warriors and John Wall of the Washington Wizards, with Jrue Holiday being the late addition.
The Select team is set to train against the USA Men’s National Basketball team in Vegas. The practice is part of Team USA’s preparations for the London Olympics 2012 and will be held from July 6 to July 11. It will also give some promising youngsters, such
as Kawhi Leonard and DeMarcus Cousins, to rub shoulders with more established super stars like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
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