San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge to participate in Team USA training camp

LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photos by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photos by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With Gregg Popovich leading the way, San Antonio Spurs All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge is set to participate in the Team USA training camp in Las Vegas this summer.

Through stats, accolades and consistent year-by-year production, LaMarcus Aldridge is on the right trajectory to land in Springfield, Massachusetts at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done. One thing that he’s never achieved that would solidify his place in history is a Gold Medal.

As San Antonio Spurs mastermind Gregg Popovich shifts gears toward Team USA activities during the offseason, Aldridge will reportedly join his head coach in Las Vegas to participate in training camp for the FIBA World Cup that takes place in China this coming September.

Aldridge was a finalist for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team in 2016 and participated in scrimmages against the 2008 Olympic team but has yet to reach a final roster. If this is something that he’s passionate about, Popovich could use his leverage as head coach to place the seven-time All Star on the roster.

San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge and Detroit's Andre Drummond will participate in the Team USA training camp in August, league sources tell ESPN. Team USA is putting together a roster for the FIBA World Cup in China in September.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2019

More from Air Alamo

Besides the Olympic opportunities, this will be a great time for Popovich to try new playstyles and sets to utilize his team’s foundational cornerstone. Aldridge will enter next season at 34-years-old and has shown no signs of slowing down; he’s shown no signs of slowing down any time soon. These offseason workouts may provide an opportunity for Aldridge to step behind the three-point arc and expand his range.

With a beautiful form and sound shot mechanics, it’s a mystery as to why Aldridge hasn’t developed a consistent three-point jumper. By working alongside his coach and competing against some of the best players in the world, Aldridge will have a chance to show off his skills while practicing new techniques against high level competition.

Aldridge averaged 21.3 points and 9.2 boards in his fourth season with the Spurs last season. With each passing year, LMA solidifies his legacy in the Silver and Black.

Next. Top 5 Power Forwards in Spurs History

Competing internationally and winning with Pop would continue that trend and help him bolster is Hall of Fame case.