Paul George has vivid memories of training for the Olympics. Two years ago, as part of the blue team in the pre-Olympic Team USA practice scrimmage, Paul George suffered one of the most horrific injuries to happen on the hardcourt. Teammates and spectators watched in horror as Paul George snapped his leg while driving to the basket.

After a year-long rehabilitation, Paul George returned to the NBA and recaptured his previous form, attaining third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defensive honors and while posting better regular season numbers than he had prior to his injury. He seems poised to resume where he left off and reestablish himself as one of the league’s premier two-way players.

Returning to Team USA’s training camp has a special meaning for George, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

It means a lot. This is like really a redemption to myself. All the bad that happened on that night, I owed myself this opportunity to come back out here and compete for my country.

The USA national team surely needs Paul George’s presence. Following the cancellation of big names like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, and Kawhi Leonard, George looks to play a much larger role in this year’s Olympic run. As evidenced by his drive to come back from a potentially career-ending injury, the versatile swingman is looking forward to the challenge.

Now I know I'm healthy, I know I'm OK, I know I'm 100 percent. I'm back to being myself. It's no limitations. It's no thought in my mind that I'm limited to something. I kind of just feel like all the chains are off of me and I'm free now.

National and professional pride is at stake for those NBA cagers willing to go to Rio and compete for an Olympic gold. Paul George joins other NBA stars like Jimmy Butler and Carmelo Anthony who are looking to represent their country and bring home a gold medal.

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