The Official Site of Brandon Roy

Mon, Mar 8th 2010, 17:07

Brandon Roy Still Hopes for 2012 Games

Brandon Roy is still thinking he could be a 2012 Olympian. So is his coach, and Portland’s Nate McMillan just happens to be a USA Basketball assistant.

Wanting to rest a surgically repaired left knee, Roy declined an offer last month to be on Team USA’s roster, of which 27 players are in a pool to be selected for this year’s World Championships in Turkey and the 2012 Olympics in London. But the Trail Blazers star said in an interview with FanHouse before Sunday’s game against Denver he might welcome being a candidate for the 2012 Games if Team USA then needs a shooting guard.

“I still hope so,’‘ Roy said of playing in the London Olympics. “Besides winning the NBA championship, that also has been a dream of mine to have a gold medal. But I kind of had to choose right now (whether or not be on the roster).

“If there’s a chance, I’m healthy and playing well and somebody can’t play that year, you never know what happens. I would love to try to play. If they are looking for a reserve, I would raise my hand and say, ‘Here I am.’ I would love to try then if the opportunity presents itself.’‘

McMillan, a Team USA assistant for the 2008 Olympics under Mike Krzyzewski — and who will also serve under Krzyzewski through the 2012 Games — would love to see Roy possibly be under consideration for the 2012 Games.

“We still have 2012 so the main focus is going to be that team in 2012, and Brandon is one of the top guys in the league,’‘ McMillan said. “You have to look at you and your situation and your health (then).’‘

Roy, who entered Sunday averaging 22.1 points and has been chosen for the past three All-Star Games, pondered long and hard about being on the USA Basketball roster. But he said he didn’t want to put additional strain on a left knee that was operated on in August 2008 for a torn meniscus and still causes him pain at times.

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