Fears of a mass defection from the USA basketball national team roster after Paul George’s gruesome leg injury appear to have been unfounded.
None of the 19 players remaining in contention for the final 12 roster spots is pulling out, ESPN.com reported Monday, citing sources. Despite “heightened concern” following George’s injury, “various Team USA players have talked among themselves about the need to stay together” and reportedly plan to stick it out.
“No one on this team wants to walk away, because that would be unfair to Paul,” a general manager with a player on the team told ESPN.com. “If there is any fallout from this injury, it may not be felt until the next time invites go out.”
With George, a certain pick to make the team before his injury, going down, coach Mike Krzyzewski might only need to make as few as three cuts in the next 10 days, before paring down the final roster to 12 players before the World Cup of basketball opens Aug. 30.
