After overseeing a week of training camp and a tragic intrasquad scrimmage, Team USA and Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski and head of USA Basketball Operations Jerry Colangelo announced the 16 finalists for this year's national team, and two Blue Devils were on the list.
Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving was one of four point guards among the finalists joining Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Derrick Rose.
Although Krzyzewski has indicated that Curry and Lillard can play shooting guard because of their shooting ability, it is possible that one of the four ball-handlers could be cut before the FIBA World Cup begins Aug. 28.
Team USA's roster can only include 12 players.
Irving had six points, four assists and two steals in almost 26 minutes of action in Friday's Blue-White scrimmage, and started for the white team. Rose and Curry played together in the starting backcourt for the blue team.
Although Irving was expected to have a strong summer as one of the premier talents in the NBA, center Mason Plumlee has surprised many with his performance on the USA Select Team that practices with Team USA, and now with his stint on the national team roster.
The 6-foot-11 New Jersey Net excelled in NBA Summer League play, and impressed Krzyzewski and Colangelo so much that he was given the opportunity to make Team USA after four solid days of training camp last week.
A member of the All-Rookie First Team last year, Plumlee had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in Friday's scrimmage off the bench for the blue team.
After a slow start, he found his rhythm in the third quarter—scoring all of his points in the frame—and also earned five free throw attempts in 15 minutes of action.
Pelicans center Anthony Davis is essentially a lock to make the final roster, so most people think Plumlee is battling Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Pistons big man Andre Drummond for a roster spot.
The fact that Plumlee has a chance to make the roster instead of talented Washington guards John Wall and Bradley Beal, and veteran Hawks big man Paul Millsap—who were all cut Monday—shows his rapid growth.
Everyone related to Team USA is still recovering from the end of Friday's scrimmage, when Pacers star forward Paul George suffered a compound leg fracture on a basket stanchion trying to block James Harden's shot in the fourth quarter.
Krzyzewski stopped the scrimmage out of respect for George after play was delayed for several minutes, and visited him in the Las Vegas hospital in which he underwent successful surgery.
The visit yielded an emotional picture of Krzyzewski consoling the 24-year old, who is expected to miss the upcoming NBA season.
Plumlee, Irving and the other 14 finalists will continue training in Chicago starting Aug. 14, when they will also take part in the 2014 World Basketball Festival.
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