Report: Stephen Curry opts to skip 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
-- Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will not play in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, opting instead to rest his knee, according to a report published Monday by The San Jose Mercury News.
Curry, who has never played in the Olympics, has informed USA Basketball of his decision, according to the Mercury News.
The reigning two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Curry has missed four games during the Warriors' current postseason run because of a sprained right knee. He returned to the lineup on May 9 and has helped lead the Warriors to their second straight appearance in the NBA Finals.
Golden State has a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals and is two victories away from clinching its second consecutive NBA championship.
Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski and the 12-man roster, which is expected to be revealed in late June, ?will convene in Las Vegas on July 17 to begin a training camp that spans nearly a week and culminates with a July 22 exhibition game at a site to be announced against 2004 Olympic champion Argentina.
Olympic men's basketball runs from Aug. 6 to 21 ?in Rio with a 12-team field and the Americans ranking as heavy favorites after gold-medal successes in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. The team is 75-1 in a decade under Krzyzewski, who is making his Team USA farewell in these games before giving way to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
After the withdrawals of Curry, Anthony Davis (injury) and Chris Paul (rest), 28 players remain in contention for the roster: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Mike Conley, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Rudy Gay, Paul George, Draymond Green, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, DeAndre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Klay Thompson, John Wall and Russell Westbrook.