Derrick Rose Still a Candidate for US Olympic Team

Now that he’s recovered from a torn left ACL, Derrick Rose is on his way back to the court, and Team USA is still very much interested in his services. Per the Chicago Tribune: “Rose played for Team USA when it won gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. He has consistently expressed his desire to play in an Olympics. What’s his standing moving forward? ‘He could factor in very well,’ USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo said. ‘It’s really up to him. We’re waiting for him to come back physically and emotionally and see how he does this year. But we very much consider him a candidate.’ Colangelo is presiding over a four-day minicamp for younger prospects that began Monday. Tom Thibodeau is a new assistant coach to holdover coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke. The senior team’s next international commitment is the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. Then comes the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. ‘It’s going to be very difficult next spring when we have to pick a roster,’ Colangelo admitted. ‘It won’t be the 12 best players. It will be what we think makes up the best team.'”