Derrick Rose Forgoing Team USA’s Mini-Camp Was Best For Business
By Paul Steeno
Aug 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; USA guard Derrick Rose talks with the media during practice at Quest MultiSport Complex. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose made the correct decision when he decided not to attend Team USA Basketball mini-camp in Las Vegas last week. The camp, which was more of a social gathering than a substantive assessment of skill, would have done little to help Rose continue his preparation for the upcoming season.
In fact, Rose’s decision to forgo attending the 2015 Team USA mini-camp will ultimately have no negative impact on his future as an NBA player or USA Olympic athlete.
At the beginning of the month, an unnamed source told ESPN Chicago reporter Nick Friedell that Rose has still not decided whether he would attend Team USA’s camp. On Thursday, August 6, USA Basketball released a list of 34 players that would attend the camp. Derrick Rose’s name was not on this list.
Initial concern regarding Rose’s decision to not attend the camp centered around a statement made by managing director of USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo. He issued a mandate, stating that those that didn’t attend the camp would not be considered for Team USA’s roster for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
However, a number of things have changed since this mandate, and, coupled with the injury concerns that accompanied speculation of Rose participating in non-NBA basketball activities, Rose’s decision to forgo attending Team USA mini-camp remains a good one.
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