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USA Basketball's Colangelo talks post-Coach K era, Lillard's decision not to attend minicamp

Gary A. Vasquez / US PRESSWIRE

Every summer, basketball fans are treated to various international competitions, whether they're the Pan American Games, a FIBA World Cup or the Olympics. And with the finale of each NBA playoffs, Jerry Colangelo re-emerges into the offseason spotlight.

Earlier in July, the USA Basketball chairman announced that any player who wished to represent the United States at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, would be required to attend the team's minicamp which is scheduled to be held in Las Vegas in August.

With this compulsory mandate being put in place, a bevvy of NBA stars have since come forward signaling their commitment to next month's minicamp with their sights set on making the 2016 Team USA roster.

Duke's head coach Mike Krzyzewski has been the National Team's bench boss since 2006. Since then, he has led various versions of the team to two Olympic gold medals (2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London), two FIBA World Championship golds (2010 in Turkey and 2014 in Spain) and a bronze in Japan (2006).

With regard to Coach K's future with the team beyond next summer's events, Colangelo remained transparent.

"This time I know (he's) done," he told Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears. "I’m already working on the future. But my focus is on '16. I have so much time on my hands that I’m already working on it."

With a statement grounded in certainty such as this, Colangelo hinted that he is already thinking about Krzyzewski's successor.

"I always have a guy already in my head. Always did and always will," he said.

Referencing his own tenure as the organization's leader, Colangelo said he still has the passion for the job and he's been asked to stay on through 2020.

"My attitude is: if I’m still healthy, and I’m healthy now, my passion still exists," he said.

While big-name players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kevin Love have joined the larger group of minicamp participants, one particular marquee point guard has made his intention to skip next month's events very clear.

Portland Trail Blazers' star Damian Lillard stated on Sunday that being cut from the national squad in the past has led to his decision to not attend the Las Vegas camp.

In response to Lillard's stance, Colangelo offered his own:

"I understand his disappointment. He’s a great player. For whatever reason, the times he’s been with us he just hasn’t played as well as he’s capable of playing," Colangelo explained. "That happens to be at a position where we are overloaded. There is no question about that. And so that’s not a knock on him. I have a great respect for him as a player and through the course of an NBA season, he shows how great he is.

"The fact that he wasn’t selected really hurt him. He was extended an invitation, but I don’t think he’s coming."

USAB's minicamp will run from Aug. 11 to 13 at the Thomas and Mack Center.

It will be interesting to see who shows up to the camp (and who doesn't), as it will give an indication of who may make the 2016 roster. The first two days of the training period will include non-contact workouts and the third and final day will feature an All-Star Game-style scrimmage.

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