Hawks guard Kyle Korver is one of 19 players confirmed on the Team USA men’s basketball roster that will begin training camp in Las Vegas later this month.
The first of three camps will take place July 28-Aug. 1. The final roster of players who will compete in the upcoming World Championships in Spain later this summer will be selected following two addition camps in Chicago and New York.
“Kyle, first of all, is a veteran team player,” Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a conference call Monday. “And he is a specialist in being one of the outstanding shooters in the NBA. He will be looked at in that role. In (the Beijing Olympics in) 2008, Michael Redd filled that role for us. … He is a really good player and an outstanding shooter so we’ll look at him in that regard.
“If you look at the stats from (the 2012 Olympics in) London, we were by far the best 3-point shooting team. We took the most and made the most. That was really a dominating stat, along with assists because we shared the ball so well. Three-point shooting is always a huge part of what we look at as we put together a team. It’s a closer line than in the NBA and (the 3-point shot) is incorporated even more than it would be incorporated in the NBA. And in the NBA, it’s incorporated quite a bit.”
The 19-man training camp roster consists of recent additions DeMar DeRozan (Raptors) and Chandler Parsons (Mavericks). Players previously named to the roster who have also confirmed participating in the Las Vegas training camp include: Bradley Beal (Wizards), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Andre Drummond (Pistons), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Kenneth Faried (Nuggets), Paul George (Pacers), Blake Griffin (Clippers), James Harden (Rockets), Gordon Hayward (Jazz), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Kevin Love (Timberwolves); Derrick Rose (Bulls) and Klay Thompson (Warriors).
Dawson sits: Eric Dawson has not played in either of the Hawks' first two games in the Las Vegas Summer League. The forward, who was invited to training camp with the Hawks last season, is healthy but sat out as the Hawks gave playing time to Mike Muscala and draft picks Adreian Payne and Edy Tavares.
“Part of the process,” Dawson said. “I will be ready when my chance comes.”
Prather debuts: Casey Prather made his summer league debut in Sunday's loss to the D-League Select team. The undrafted guard/forward from Florida had four points, one rebound, two steals and one block.
“I really liked what they have to offer,” Prather said of his decision to join the Hawks. “I like the style of play, the coaching staff, the players they have, the vision of where they are going with the program.”
While Prather did not start the game, he was on the floor with the four other starters for the two overtime periods.
Muscala's 3-pointers: Mike Muscala is using the summer league as a chance to gauge his progress in adding a consistent 3-pointer to his repertoire. He has missed all six attempts but is still encouraged.
“Obviously, I haven’t made one yet but I feel a lot more comfortable,” Muscala said. “It’s different shooting them in a game. You can shoot them in a pick-up game but that is different than an organized game.”
Antic contract: Pero Antic's contract with the Hawks of $1,250,000 will become fully guaranteed Tuesday.
Day off: The Hawks were off Monday after opening the tournament with two losses. They will play their final preliminary game Tuesday against the Trail Blazers at 4 p.m. (EDT). The tournament will begin seeded play Wednesday in the double-elimination format.
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