Timberwolves LaVine Named to 2016 USA Men’s Select Team

Minneapolis/St. Paul – USA Basketball announced earlier today that Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine was named to the 2016 USA Men’s Select Team. The USA Men’s Select Team will train with the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s National Team from July 18 – 21 during its training camp in Las Vegas.

LaVine’s second year in Minnesota saw him play in all 82 games, averaging 14.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 3.1 apg in 28.0 mpg. He shot 45.2% from the floor and 79.3% from the FT line while ranking 26th in the NBA in three-point accuracy at 38.9%; his 123 treys made equaled the fifth-highest single-season total in franchise history. LaVine shot 43.6% (88-for-202) from three-point distance over the final 44 games. He started 33 games, including each of the final 24, tallying 17.3 ppg (47.4%) in 34.3 mpg in those starts. LaVine was Minnesota's leading scorer 12 times and netted 20+ points on 19 occasions among his 60 double-digit efforts. He topped all scorers with 28 points in the March 16 victory at Memphis; the six three-pointers tied his career best. He erupted for a season-high 35 points Jan. 27 vs. Oklahoma City, his second career 30+ effort, and tied his career best with nine rebounds Jan. 12 vs. Oklahoma City. LaVine was chosen as MVP of the 2016 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 12 as part of All-Star Weekend in Toronto, after scoring 30 points; he also repeated as the Verizon Slam Dunk champion on Feb. 13.

Selected for the 2016 USA Basketball Select squad were: Malcolm Brogdon (University of Virginia); Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit Pistons); Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings); Kris Dunn  (Providence College); Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic); Jerami Grant (Philadelphia 76ers); Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets); Rodney Hood (Utah Jazz); Brandon Ingram (Duke University); Brice Johnson (University of North Carolina), Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons); Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves); CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers); Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls); Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets); Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers); Jabari Parker (Milwaukee Bucks); Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers); D’Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers); Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics); Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers); Denzel Valentine (Michigan State University); Justise Winslow (Miami Heat) and Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who on Oct. 23, 2015, was named head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team for the 2017-20 quadrennium, will oversee the Select Team and Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka and Villanova University head coach Jay Wright will serve as assistant coaches.

“The 2016 USA Basketball Select Team continues to our tradition of featuring some of the game’s brightest and most promising young players. Participation in this camp provides them with valuable experience at the USA Basketball National Team level, while helping prepare the 2016 USA National Team for its upcoming international competition. For many of the Select Team players this is a continuation of their USA Basketball experiences and for others it is an introduction into our pipeline,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball National Team managing director. 

“Being chosen for the Select Team is an honor and it is an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball’s National Team program in the future. Current national team players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, as well as many other outstanding players, got their USA National Team start through a Select Team.

Members of the USA Select Team will train daily with the USA National Team from July 18-21 (12:00-2:00 p.m. PDT) at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center. All practices are closed to the public.

The 2016 USA Basketball Showcase presented by Verizon will feature the USA Basketball Men’s National Team playing five domestic exhibition games and conducting training camps in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago and Houston. 

The USA Basketball Showcase presented by Verizon will feature in Las Vegas the USA going against South American rival Argentina on July 22 in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the USA Basketball Showcase exhibition games are on sale now. VIP ticket packages available in select markets. For ticket information visit usab.com/showcase.

The 2016 USA Select Team features eight players who completed their rookie NBA season in 2015-16, nine who wrapped up their second NBA season, three third-year NBA players and five players who are eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft.