Reports: Lowry accepts Olympic spot, Lillard passes
Kyle Lowry plies his trade in Canada, but he will apparently be representing his native United States in Brazil this summer.
The Toronto Raptors point guard has accepted an invitation to play for USA Basketball's entry in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
At the same time, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has withdrawn his name in order to rehab a plantar fasciitis injury, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.
There's some frustration on the Damian Lillard side that Team USA folks pushed him for an answer now while giving other players more time.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 23, 2016
It would be Lowry's first Olympics, and first major duty with the national program. Alongside Lillard's reported withdrawal, it comes after a notable thinning of the U.S. team's backcourt. Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden have all passed on Rio.
Lowry could be joined by Raptors teammate DeMar DeRozan, one of the USA camp invitees, on the squad.