USA Team White center DeMarcus Cousins (36). Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins puts the probability of playing in Team USA’s exhibition game on Wednesday night at 50-50.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski thinks it’s a little higher.
Cousins, the Sacramento Kings center who banged knees with Kenneth Faried in a Team USA practice last week and sat out Saturday’s exhibition against Brazil in Chicago, was back at full speed on Tuesday in New York. Doctors found no structural damage in the knee.
As the U.S. team prepares to make its final cuts for the FIBA World Cup in Spain, Cousins could use a good showing to improve his chances of staying on the roster, which could be cut from 16 to 12 as early as Thursday, according to reports.
Among the big men competing with Cousins for a spot on the team are Mason Plumlee of the Brooklyn Nets and Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons. One of them will back up New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis.
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose sat out Tuesday’s practice as a precaution. He is coming back from a torn meniscus suffered last season.
