A report says a Milwaukee Bucks free agent center who played a key role in the team’s surge in 2018-19 is expected to compete for a spot on Team USA in the 2019 basketball World Cup.
While Brook Lopez is negotiating his next free agent contract, he is set to take part in the Team USA training camp for the official international basketball world championship tournament to be held in September in China, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
ESPN Sources: Among additional players expected to join USA Basketball’s training camp in August on way to a roster spot in September’s FIBA World Cup in China: Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon, Kyle Kuzma, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, CJ McCollum and Jayson Tatum.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2019
The tournament could also be a precursor to a place on the 2020 Olympic basketball team which will compete in Tokyo next year.
Lopez, 31, is a free agent after his one year with the Bucks, in which he made $3.382 million.
He averaged 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 36.5 percent from three point range for a Bucks team which came within six wins of their first NBA championship since 1971.
The Bucks’ Khris Middleton is also part of Team USA’s roster and is a hopeful for both the World Cup and Olympics.