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Jerry Colangelo on LeBron's Olympic prospects: 'He's played a lifetime of minutes'

REUTERS/Sergio Perez / reuters

A fourth Olympic appearance might be in the cards for LeBron James, who will reportedly attend Team USA's mandatory minicamp in mid-August.

USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo has repeated all summer that attendance at the minicamp will serve as a reflection of each player's dedication to the program. That applies for everyone - even for the league's best player.

"One thing I need to find out: is he desirous, is he committed," Colangelo told Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I don't know that right now, and I need to find out at some point. An indicator will come next week when we see who shows up."

Following the 2012 OIympics, reports suggested that James planned to retire from international competition. Age and workload were tabbed as the culprits.

Colangelo understands James' plight. He made sure to acknowledge the superstar's 12-year history with the program and showed deference to his Herculean workload.

"LeBron has had an incredible career, and I know how many minutes he's played. He's played a lifetime of minutes," Colangelo said. "He's been involved with Team USA basketball since he was 19."

Managing fatigue is a significant worry for James, who has already played more minutes than the likes of Magic Johnson and Allen Iverson, despite being just 30 years of age. James has made five straight Finals appearances and could very well extend that to six prior to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

However, if James is committed, there will of course be a spot saved for him on the roster. After all, James led Team USA to gold in both 2008 and 2012.

"This is totally up to him - he has to make the call whether he wants to go after three gold medals," Colangelo said.

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