Chris Paul says he won't play in 2016 Olympics
Chris Paul's USA Basketball career may be over, as the Los Angeles Clippers superstar told Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins he's withdrawing himself from the pool of names for this summer's Olympic team.
"I feel my body telling me that I could use the time," said the point guard, who turns 31 in May.
Paul has two Olympic gold medals to show for his national team service, winning in 2008 and 2012. He's been involved with USA Basketball since high school.
"What we do is such a small thing compared to what the people do who protect our freedom," Paul told SI. "But when I put on that USA jersey it always gave me goose bumps because you realized you were part of something so much bigger than yourself."
Paul's decision brings into question the latest generational shift with USA Basketball. Close friends and other stars of his age, like LeBron James, have been noncommittal on Rio de Janeiro, while Carmelo Anthony had openly wished to team up with Paul and James again for another shot at gold.
A member of the younger generation, Anthony Davis, is also out this summer as he recovers from two injuries.
The 12-man Olympic team bound for Brazil will be named in late June.