Paul George says he will give Olympic squad a shot

Less than two years ago, Paul George suffered a catastrophic leg injury in a USA Basketball scrimmage. This past season, he cited the grind of his comeback campaign as a reason to perhaps pass on this summer's Olympics.

He appears to have changed his mind.

"I think I kind of said that too prematurely," the Indiana Pacers star told ESPN. "I didn't give myself enough time to really think it through. 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 (the Olympic team) a shot."

USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said in the wake of George's 2014 injury that he would always keep a spot open for the dynamic forward. On merit alone, George has a case to make the U.S. team this summer: In his first full season back from the injury, he finished 10th in the NBA in scoring at just over 23 points per game.

The team is expected to be unveiled later this month. The Olympic basketball tournament begins in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 6, a day after the opening ceremony.