Demarcus Cousins, USA Basketball Participant?

Could problem child, Demarcus Cousins, really become a member of Team USA Basketball?

In a semi-stunning move, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports that Demarcus Cousins will be invited to the team’s mini-camp in July. This news comes on the heels of last summer, when Colangelo was quoted as saying that the former Kentucky big man and current Sacramento Kings center “had some growing up to do”, and after this season in Sacramento, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence that Cousins succeeded in growing up.

Cousins averaged 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game (with a 20.21 PER) this season in Sacramento, but the team hobbled to a 28-54 record. He was involved in multiple public spats with media, coaches, and officials, and frankly, there is wild speculation that he could be wearing another uniform before the beginning of the 2013-2014 season.

With all of that said, however, Cousins is a unique talent, and it is easy to see why USA Basketball would invest in him. His shear size is something that the 2012 Olympic team sorely lacked, and with “true centers” like Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum being seen as permanent injury risks, the team could use some bulk in the frontcourt. Add in Cousins high-level skills and impressive 18.7% rebound rate last season, and the picture is even clearer.

Garnering an invite to the team mini-camp in July far from indicates that Cousins will be a member of any USA Basketball roster, much less the upcoming 2014 World Championships roster. However, this is certainly an olive branch to the troubled big man, and as someone that firmly believes in his talent, I fully endorse this move for USA Basketball. Now, we watch and see how it works out, and if anyone can communicate with Cousins, I would place my money on recently-extended Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.