Report: Jimmy Butler to withdraw from Team USA
Joining a growing group of players, Chicago Bulls wing Jimmy Butler has withdraw from Team USA due to a groin injury, as reported by Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Jimmy Butler joins Blake Griffin (LAC), LaMarcus Aldridge (POR), and Kevin Love (MIN) as players who have recently withdrawn from Team USA in the last few weeks.
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While Butler wasn’t named to the original pool of players whom are eligible to make the US Men’s National Team as the 2014 FIBA World Cup arrives, Butler was added to the US Men’s Select Team, a group of young players who practice against the National Team.
The addition to the Select Team is Butler’s first Team USA experience as the third year wing is still emerging as a key player in the NBA. Last season with the Chicago Bulls, Jimmy Butler averaged a career-high 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Due to his elite perimeter defense, Butler was named to the NBA All-Defensive second team.
Other notable players on the Select Team includes Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics), Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic), Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers), Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors), and Butler’s Chicago rookie teammate in Doug McDermott.
The 2014 FIBA World Cup kicks off in late August in Spain.