Harrison Barnes selected to play for US Olympic team

By John Buhler | Jun 25, 2016

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 05: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he made a three-point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves at ORACLE Arena on April 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors soon-to-be restricted free agent small forward Harrison Barnes will be selected to represent the United States in the Rio Games.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical of Yahoo! Sports, Golden State Warriors soon-to-be restricted free agent small forward Harrison Barnes will be the 11th player named to the United States Men’s Basketball Team for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.

Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes has made the Team USA roster for the Rio Olympics, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 25, 2016

Barnes joins two of his Warriors teammates on Team USA in shooting guard Klay Thompson and power forward Draymond Green. Other commitments to Team USA include Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant, Indiana Pacers stretch four Paul George, enigmatic center for the Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins, New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, and Toronto Raptors backcourt tandem of point guard Kyle Lowry and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.

Shortly after Barnes committed to Team USA, NBA Champion point guard of the Cleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving followed suit to be the 12th NBA player to represent the United States in Rio. Irving’s inclusion as the 12th and final selection has kept Memphis Grizzlies soon-to-be free agent point guard Mike Conley from playing for Team USA.

Expect Team USA under head coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke Blue Devils lore to torch its competition with dynamic jumpshooting from beyond the perimeter and great on-ball defense. Barnes is exceptional at both and will be a big boost for the United States coming off the bench, capable of guarding all players at shooting guard, small forward, and at power forward.

Even with the threat of the Zika virus wreaking havoc on South America, the United States still was able to field a team chock full of All-Star caliber players, as very much the overwhelming favorite to secure Olympic gold.

For more 2016 Rio Olympics coverage, please check out our 2016 Rio Olympics category page.

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