Fansided

DeMar DeRozan joins Team USA for Rio Olympics

By Chase Ruttig

May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) tries to defend during the first quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) tries to defend during the first quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors small forward DeMar DeRozan has committed to playing for Team USA at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The 2016 USA Men’s Basketball Team will have a Canadian flair, as after Kyle Lowry committed to playing in the Olympics, his Toronto Raptors running mate in small forward DeMar DeRozan also locked himself into playing in Rio 2016.

DeRozan is currently a free agent after opting out of the final year of his contract with the Raptors. The small forward had his best ever NBA season in helping lead Toronto to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell to the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.

The Raptors star played for Team USA in the 2014 World Cup in Spain, winning the Gold medal as a bench player who averaged 4.8 points per game. Numbers that should go up in Rio as DeRozan will likely play a larger role off of the bench depending on how the rest of the roster fills out leading into the Olympics.

With the Olympics looming, expect DeRozan to still settle his NBA contract before stepping on the floor for Team USA. Looking for a max contract after two All-Star appearances, DeRozan has a clear case for a massive deal from either the Raptors or a new team as the confirmed Olympian will be looking to celebrate his pending wealth with Gold in Rio later this summer.

Team USA is getting a depth boost with the experienced DeRozan providing a nice scoring punch off the bench for what should be a still-loaded 2016 Dream Team roster.

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