Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski wants Derrick Rose for USA Basketball. He’s just not willing to make the call as to whether or not he will actually have him.
Krzyzewski tells ESPN he will totally leave the decision of if the youngest MVP in NBA history will play this summer in the FIBA Basketball World Cup up to Chicago Bulls management.
“We get information from all the clubs and we know that the most important thing for these guys is their health and what they’re doing with their parent teams,” Krzyzewski told ESPN. “And so our communication with the Bulls, or any organization, is straightforward and we’ll follow their guidelines.”
Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee last November, ending his season after just 10 games and effectively causing him his second straight season to injury.
“I’m hoping 100 percent,” Krzyzewski said of the prospect of having Rose this summer. “We’re all hoping that he’ll be part of the group that comes in there. And then just because we haven’t seen him play to see how he’s doing, we’d never try to put him in harm’s way for his career. But if he’s ready, we’d welcome Derrick. Derrick’s one of the great guys, in addition to being an outstanding player. He’s a great team guy. And that’s why we want him part of USA Basketball.”
Rose was recently selected as one of 28 players to participate in Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas this summer. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is slated to be an assistant for the team and thus figures to have a prominent voice on several fronts. Thibodeau is already on record in asserting he would like to see Rose in the mix.
“I’m hopeful that he will participate and he’ll be selected,” Thibodeau previously told reporters. “I thought it was a great experience for him in the past. I know how much he enjoyed it. I know how USA Basketball feels about him. I think it’s a great honor and a privilege, and hopefully it will work out.”
Meanwhile, Krzyzewski knows for Rose to simply show means everything’s a go. “If they allow him to come, then that means he’s allowed to play,” he said. “We’ve had it before where the club says, ‘we don’t think he should participate this summer,’ and we understand that. That’s why we have a pool of players and not select just 12.”
