AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler wants to represent Team USA in the the Rio Olympics this summer. The All-Star made that clear after it was revealed Monday that Butler was among the 30 players in the talent pool, which will be whittled down to 12 before Team USA gets ready to defend its gold medal at the Games.
"Oh yeah," Butler said when asked after Monday's win over the Detroit Pistons if playing in Rio was a goal he set for himself. "It's another thing that I talk about now with my trainers, with my brothers. But as of right now I got to be focused on trying to help this organization win a championship."
Butler, who is in the midst of his best statistical season as a pro in averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game, participated in Team USA's minicamp last summer and seemed to enjoy the experience. With his evolution into one of the best two-way players in the league continuing this season, it's no longer a stretch to think that the 26-year-old could make the team.
"I think it's great," Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said of Butler's latest accomplishment of being on the 30-player list. "It's very well deserved. You know Jimmy, from when he came into this league as a late first-round draft pick, not playing a lot early in his career, that's a testament to his work ethic. It's the reason he's the type of player and kid that he is today and it's a great honor, great recognition. And hopefully he'll make that team, I think he's very well-deserving."
