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Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George almost had his professional career drastically changed forever after taking a spill in an exhibition with Team USA in preparation for the 2014 FIBA World Cup, fracturing his right leg. After taking nearly an entire season to recover and return to the hardwood, the 29-year-old is thinking about next summer, potentially joining the United States men's national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
The 6-foot-9 George was asked at his new team's media day on Sunday by a reporter about the chances he would play for Team USA next summer at the biggest international competition for basketball.
Per ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly on Twitter:
“I would love to. God Willing I can get through a season healthy. When that time comes, I would love to be a part of the Olympics and represent. But this comes first.”
"I would love to. God Willing I can get through a season healthy. When that time comes, I would love to be a part of the Olympics and represent. But this comes first."
– Paul George on playing for Team USA. #Clippers
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 29, 2019
After spending 76 games during the 2014-15 season away from the game, the then–Indiana Pacers All-Star returned for a light workload in the final six games. George played two more seasons for the Pacers before being traded in the offseason to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the Portland Trail Blazers knocked George, former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, and the Thunder out of the first round of the 2019 playoffs last April, general manager Sam Presti began the franchise's rebuild stage, sending both All-Stars away, including George to his hometown of Los Angeles to team up with two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers.
Leonard similarly expressed a sentiment to join Team USA next summer in Japan to rebound after the Americans finished in seventh place at the FIBA World Cup in China in September, a humiliating finish after a summer that featured multiple big names dropping out from competing for San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's squad.
