Indiana Pacers’ Paul George is taken off the court after he was injured during the USA Basketball Showcase game Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas. AP
Paul George slipped on his USA jersey Monday, the one he was supposed to wear two years ago.
He was going to play for the Americans in the 2014 Basketball World Cup before breaking his right leg when he crashed into the basket stanchion while playing in USA Basketball’s intrasquad scrimmage, a gruesome injury that left teammates sick and knocked George out of action for almost the entire next season.
The Indiana Pacers forward was chosen Monday to play for the Americans in Rio, but he said getting to wear his No. 13 doesn’t mean much yet.
“I think the national anthem before the first game is probably when it will sink in, that this is the moment I dreamed of and was looking forward to as a kid,” George said.
George was an All-Star again this season and sometimes looked better than ever. Though there were some predictions after his injury that players would no longer risk international play, George said he had no concerns about playing this summer.
“None at all,” he said. “The injury really didn’t have any effect. Only thing I was questioning about is was I giving myself enough time to heal up and rest after the season.”