Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard joined the list of players who will compete for roster spots on the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team for the 2016 Games in Brazil this summer.
Lillard’s addition on Wednesday boosts the roster to 31 players vying to make the 12-man team.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement released Wednesday that Lillard is playing at a high level and deserves to be among the candidates.
Lilliard is averaging 24.2 points and 7.3 rebounds, both career bests, for the Trail Blazers this season.
In 2014, Lillard just missed a berth on the 2014 World Cup of Basketball team that went to Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
Making the Olympic roster will be difficult. Among the point guards in contention are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Washington’s John Wall.
