The Hawks budding star at point guard received the honor of competing with Team USA’s Select team this summer. His job was to prep Team USA for the FIBA World Cup which takes place in China from August 31st to September 15th. Unfortunately, however, his time will be cut short after he suffered a minor eye infection – Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported moments ago.
Trae Young has to leave Team USA camp because of a minor eye infection, sources said. He’d been playing well on the Select Team last few days.
As an aside with De’Aaron Fox already promoted to senior team, I’m looking forward to Select coach Jeff Van Gundy playing some PG today
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) August 8, 2019
At least, we were blessed with some video footage of Young cooking team USA in practice before he was forced to leave.
https://twitter.com/SLAMonline/status/1158899428826071042
In reality, the selection process for Team USA this year has been beyond perplexing. They kept both John Collins and Trae Young off the actual roster, and both have proven to be far better at basketball than several players that did make the team. Perhaps they are trying to make it as difficult as possible for Team USA to win in China. I mean – seriously – Marcus Smart made the team. Yes, 37.2% career FG% Marcus Smart.
While it was an honor for Young and Collins to make the Select Team; I’m sure they will use being left off the Team USA roster as motivation heading into what will be an intoxicating season for Hawks fans.