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The Houston Rockets’ James Harden is expected to join Team USA this summer for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, according to Marc Stein.
Houston's James Harden is expected to be on the Team USA roster at this stage, according to one source briefed on the situation. @usabasketball training camp starts in two months in Las Vegas
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 2, 2019
Harden, who led the league in scoring this year, would be making his return to the national team for the first time since 2014, when the U.S. Men’s National Team won gold in the FIBA World Cup. In 2016, he withdrew from possibly playing with the team in the Olympics.
Interestingly enough, the New Orleans Pelicans big man, and overall unhappy hooper, Anthony Davis, has reportedly given some “strong indications” that he would also like to play for the team. With trade rumors circling all of the Rockets’ roster, and Anthony Davis able to control where he gets traded to, is it possible that Harden does a little recruiting?
Fantasies aside, it’s actually pretty exciting to see Harden back on the national team. As we all know, Harden’s post-national play has built its own mythos. After Harden’s gold medal journey in 2014, he became the generational-player that we all fondly know and love today. 2014-2015 would mark the beginning of his incredible run of MVP-caliber seasons, averaging 27.4 points, 7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. He also led the Rockets to a No. 2 seed in the West and a Western Conference Finals bid that year.
More basketball for Harden this summer can only mean good things to come next season. Training camp will begin in two months in Las Vegas.