For years, two of the Thunder franchise’s cornerstone players have dedicated their time and energy in the offseason to honoring their country by competing for the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team. This summer, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook once again affirmed their commitment to making USA Basketball the best it can be my participating in a mini-camp in Las Vegas.
On Tuesday, Durant and Westbrook went through a practice session at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center, under the tutelage of Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams and Thunder trainer Joe Sharpe are also on the Team USA staff, giving Durant and Westbrook two familiar faces to both work and laugh with during the workout sessions.
34 players are currently on the roster for what will be whittled down to a 12-man group that competes in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil a year from now, with Durant and Westbrook amongst the veteran leaders. Both players helped the United States win the Gold Medal in London during the 2012 Olympics, where Durant averaged 19.5 points per game and set a record for total points scored in an Olympic basketball tournament.
Back in 2010, Westbrook and Durant competed in the World Championships in Turkey, as Team USA won its first Gold in that competition since 1994 and Durant came away with MVP honors.
In his international career, dating back to 2006, Durant has averaged 19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 31 total contests while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor, 48.1 percent from the three-point line and 89.1 percent from the free throw line. Westbrook, in the six events he’s competed in for Team USA since 2009, has averaged 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 28 total contests while shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from the three-point line and 80.5 percent from the free throw line.
Both players will be again practicing on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT. On Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. CT, Westbrook will compete in the 2015 Basketball Showcase at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. Durant will not play in that showcase game. Both events will be covered live on NBA TV, so be sure to tune in.