Mitchell, Conley, Lillard Named Finalists For Team USA’s Tokyo 2020 Roster
Feb 10, 2020, 9:13 AM | Updated: Feb 11, 2020, 11:11 am
Donovan Mitchell #5 of USA goes to the basket during FIBA World Cup 2019 Games 7-8 match between the United States and Poland at Cadillac Arena on September 14, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
(Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Basketball announced Utah Jazz guards Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley as well as former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and former Utah Utes and current Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma as finalists for Team USA’s roster for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Team USA announced Mitchell, Conley, and Lillard as finalists on Sunday, February 9.
The three guards made the finalists list that included 44 players.
We Have Something To Prove
44 athletes, including 16 Olympians, are #USABMNT finalists for the @Tokyo2020 Olympic Games
»» https://t.co/fB5Z7pYQ4p pic.twitter.com/RJB1k0Mt83
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) February 10, 2020
Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell previously participated with Team USA during the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
What did that rim ever do to you @spidadmitchell?
🇺🇸 #USAGotGame pic.twitter.com/obmWbNp0aj
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 1, 2019
He is currently in his third NBA season. He has appeared in 50 games and helped Utah to a 34-18 record.
The Jazz guard is posting career highs this season. He was recently named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career.
Mitchell is averaging 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
During the 2017 NBA Draft, the Jazz acquired Mitchell’s rights via a draft-night trade with the Denver Nuggets.
Mike Conley
Conely previously participated with Team USA and was a finalist for the roster in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
“Being a part of @usabasketball is one of the highest honors I could have as a basketball player.” – Mike Conley pic.twitter.com/qtCHlaPizX
— NBA (@NBA) July 26, 2018
He is in the middle of his 13th NBA season and first with the Jazz.
The Jazz guard has battled through injury for half of the season and has played in 31 games.
Conley is averaging 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this season.
During the 2019 offseason, the Memphis Grizzlies traded the borderline all-star to Utah.
Damian Lillard
Lillard previously participated with Team USA and was a finalist for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team.
🤔🤔 Hold up… @Dame_Lillard ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/RSE5CyzlYj
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) April 24, 2019
He is having a career year with the Blazers. He is in his eighth NBA season.
He was recently named an NBA All-Star for the fifth time.
This season, the former Weber State Wildcats guard is posting 29.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per contest.
Lillard played for the Weber State Wildcats from 2008-2012. He was drafted by Portland with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He scored 1,934 points during his time as a Wildcat. His jersey was retired by the university in 2017.
Defending The Gold
Team USA enters the 2020 Summer Olympics looking to retain its top spot in the world. In 2016, USA Basketball defeated Serbia 96-66 to win its third consecutive gold medal.
Officially official ✍️
The U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team will defend gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo!#USABMNT x @TeamUSA x @Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/T7ajKh8HDx
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 9, 2019
The 2020 Summer Olympics take place in Tokyo, Japan from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, August 9.
