Report: Jimmy Butler Invited To Team USA Mini-Camp
(CBS) Bulls wing Jimmy Butler's star continues to rise.
After recently signing a five-year deal worth around $92 million, Butler will be one of at least seven new players invited to Team USA's mini-camp in Las Vegas from Aug. 11-13. While the mini-camp won't feature full contact practices, managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN.com that attendance is mandatory if players want to be considered for inclusion on the Team USA's Olympic team in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
"It's important for those who want to continue with us and be under consideration for '16 to be with us in Las Vegas for a couple days," Colangelo told ESPN.com. "It's going to be low key. Light workouts, no contact and then play an all-star game. No concern about competitiveness. We're not evaluating anyone."
Butler was invited to Team USA's select squad in 2014 that served as competition for the players who went on to play in the FIBA World Cup last August and September, but he didn't participate in the camp because of a minor groin injury.
If he accepts the invite, Butler will be one of around 40 players now in Team USA's player pool, of which 12 will be selected for the Olympic team. Bulls teammate Derrick Rose is also in the pool, though he hasn't yet made clear yet if he wants to compete for a spot on the 2016 Olympic team.
Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is the coach of Team USA, while former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau continues to serve as an assistant.