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Lowry thrilled to be on Olympic basketball team

Kyle Lowry is about to take his basketball career to another level. Last month, the North Philly native was one of 12 players named to the United States' men's Olympic basketball team for the Rio Olympics in August. The team begins training camp here Monday at UNLV's Mendenhall Center for an experience Lowry hopes concludes with a gold medal.

LAS VEGAS - Kyle Lowry is about to take his basketball career to another level.

Last month, the North Philly native was one of 12 players named to the United States' men's Olympic basketball team for the Rio Olympics in August. The team begins training camp here Monday at UNLV's Mendenhall Center for an experience Lowry hopes concludes with a gold medal.

"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would get picked for Team USA, but it worked out," he said. "It's just an exciting moment, an exciting time. I'm just happy to be in that situation to be able to say I'll be in the Olympics."

The 10-year NBA veteran has come a long way from being a backup point guard with the Memphis Grizzlies. These days, Lowry is the two-time Eastern Conference all-star with the Toronto Raptors. The 30-year-old also led the Raptors to the conference finals, where they lost to the eventual NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

While great, the former Villanova standout said those accomplishments don't compare with being a member of Team USA. Winning a gold medal would be by far the biggest achievement of his basketball career.

Not winning a gold medal would be a big disappointment, even though LeBron James and Steph Curry are among the players who dropped out of Olympic team consideration.

Lowry will be joined by former league MVP Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors) as well as Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks), DeMar DeRozan (Raptors), Draymond Green (Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), and Klay Thompson (Warriors).

"I'm playing on a team with a bunch of superstars," Lowry said. "I'm just happy to be a guy that they picked. I'm not on those guys' levels. I'm playing with real-life superstars and hellified household names.

'For me, it's just fun to do that and be on that floor and be in that situation . . .."

It wasn't exactly a no-brainer, however, for him to accept the invitation to play in the Olympics.

Athletes from all over the world have pulled out of the Games because of the Zika virus that is spreading in the Americas. More than 20 male players have withdrawn from the golf competition alone because of concerns about the mosquito-borne virus.

He and his wife had a serious conversation about it. They made a family decision that it would be best for him to take advantage of the lifetime opportunity. But they also decided that his wife and children wouldn't make the trip to Rio with him.

With that out of the way, he's eager to get this process started.

Training camp is Monday through Thursday, followed by exhibition games here and in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, and Houston. The Olympic competition is set for Aug. 6 to 21.

"I'm super excited and proud to say I'm an Olympian and representing my country," Lowry said. "You just have to take advantage of it. Once that call came, I didn't hesitate."

Sixers center Jahlil Okafor and forward Jerami Grant are on the 25-member U.S. select team that will practice with the U.S. team here. Villanova coach Jay Wright is one of the select team coaches.

kpompey@phillynews.com

@PompeyOnSixers

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