Paul George will suit up for Team USA

Paul George will suit up for Team USA after accepting their invitation to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic in August.

Sports Illustrated reported this morning that the Indiana Pacers forward has agreed to play for Team USA at the Olympics this summer. That will come as welcome news to Team USA fans after a clutch of NBA stars, including MVP Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge, turned down offers to suit up for the Olympic team.

Two years ago George suffered a compound fracture to his lower right leg during a Team USA scrimmage. Following the injury he missed 76 matches for the Pacers. This will be George’s first appearance at an Olympics for Team USA.

“The past couple years has obviously been tough for me. I  just felt like I didn’t have enough time to myself, and time to recover, and you know, give my body a rest,” George told ESPN.

“I think since I’ve been off, my body’s telling me yes, my mind is telling me yes, people around me are telling me yes. So I feel good about it. And, you know, I want to give it a shot,” George told ESPN.

Team USA qualified for the Rio Olympics by claiming the 2014 FIBA World Cup gold medal. While the draw is yet to be confirmed, you might want to consider Team USA’s impressive Olympic record.

They have collected a medal in all of the 17 Olympics in which they have competed in, winning 14 gold medals, one silver and two bronze. Their all-time win-loss record at the Olympics is a staggering 130-5; since 1992, when NBA players began representing Team USA, their record is 45-3 with five gold medals and one bronze medal.

Team USA’s Olympic preparations kick off with a training camp in late July, and will include five exhibition matches. The Olympic basketball tournament will run from Aug. 6 to Aug. 21.