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Trey Burke Among Those Invited To USAB Camp

By Richard Lu

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According to ESPN writer Marc Stein, Trey Burke was among the players extended an invitation to the USA basketball camp on August 11th-13th. With the Olympics coming next year, the upcoming camp will be a factor in determining which 12 players the US will carry into Brazil.

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Instead of the full scale practices and intrasquad scrimmages that have been occurring in previous years, it will be replaced by non contact workouts and an All Star game. This would assume a certain level of lackadaisical defense so as to prevent injuries.

"“Basically, we’re looking for a time of reflection, celebration and being respectful of what we’ve accomplished with USA Basketball over the last decade,” Colangelo said. “And then to build on that, we want to get a read to see who’s committed for next year."

The other new invites included Jimmy Butler, Mike Conley, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Victor Oladipo, and Tobias Harris. Apart from Mike Conley, the other invitees are rising stars of the league. Some, like Butler and Draymond Green, have already established themselves as one of the best in their positions.

This led many to wonder: Why Trey Burke?

As prestigious as the other players are, the fact that Utah now has another representative (with Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors having spent time with the team previously) for USA basketball is a good sign.

The practices will probably not be like this as there is no competition this year, you can see the amount of talent portrayed in the video. Although Trey probably does not fit the roster in terms of pedigree, it certainly doesn’t hurt that he was invited. It’s a chance to prove himself and his talent, and an opportunity to get better.

For Gordon Hayward, who had a chance to join the FIBA team last year, it is likely that he also will attend the camp in August.

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

"The complete list of invitees for the forthcoming camp from the original 34 and the seven aforementioned newcomers is still being finalized, but sources say several players from the national teams that represented the United States at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, as well as the 2010 FIBA World Championship, will also be given the chance to join in the Vegas festivities so USAB officials can take stock of who wants to compete for a 2016 Olympic berth."

Although Stein’s article doesn’t mention the 2014 FIBA Worlds, there’s no reason not to think Hayward would not be invited as one of the more talented young wing players in the league. If in fact, both Burke and Hayward make it, expect them to rave about being at the camp and how much they have learned and enjoyed the experience.

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