Olympics: VanVleet honoured to be in U.S. player pool
Fred VanVleet didn’t grow up among basketball’s young stars. He was an underdog, developing himself into an NBA star through sheer will and hard work. So to see his name among USA Basketball’s pool of players for the Tokyo Olympics was a “big honour.”
“It’s a nod of respect to be thought about for that pool of players to represent your country,” the Raptors guard said Thursday. “It’s going to take some time to wrap my head around that one. I’ve never been a part of that type of environment. Growing up I didn’t do much AAU top-100, those types of things, where it’s the same guys you see all the time (who) end up being a lottery pick.”
USA Basketball, which has captured gold at the past three Olympics, reportedly sent out 60 invitations, casting a wider net than usual because of potential scheduling conflicts.
The NBA playoffs run right into the Olympics — the two teams in the NBA Finals could play a day before the Games open on July 23.
VanVleet, who is averaging 18.9 points and 6.6 assists a night this season, joins teammate and 2016 gold medallist Kyle Lowry in the player pool.
The 26-year-old VanVleet, from Rockford, Ill., cherishes the chance to be around the best in the game. “There are a million and one ways you can learn in a situation like that, being around some of the best players in the league, great coaches (San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich is the team’s head coach) and what USA Basketball has been for my lifetime — the standard of excellence all around, on the court, off the court,” VanVleet said. “It’ll be great if nothing else just to go and be next to guys and learn their strengths and weaknesses. Obviously I’m a huge learner. I like to watch and observe.”
VanVleet admits the Raptors’ 7-11 start this season has been difficult. “The losing has worn on me more than I ever expected because I’ve never been on a team like this,” he said. “I take losses very hard.”
How does one adapt to being on a losing team? “For me, it’s been tough, it’s been tough. Just taking it day by day. For the most part, just understanding there’s a lot of basketball left to turn it around. We’re not that far.”