Olympic hoops roundtable: What if USA sent an U-22 team to Rio?

Minnesota Timberwolves centre Karl-Anthony Towns was a unanimous Rookie of the Year selection. (Steve Dykes/AP)

Ahead of Saturday’s Olympic basketball tip-off, Sportsnet’s basketball panel will tackle the burning questions heading into the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Which team has the best shot at challenging USA for gold?

Who is the Player to Watch in this tournament?

So we know the Americans are the heavy favourites to win it all (1:20 Vegas odds, the next best is France and Spain at 12:1), and that’s without three of their top four players— LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Russ Westbrook— making the trip to Rio. And, frankly, as long as Team USA is comprised of a long-list of available NBA all-stars, it’s hard to see that changing any time soon. But what if the rules changed? There was a time when USA Basketball was comprised of collegiate players, but there’s still something fun about watching NBA stars compete on the international stage. So what if USA sent an U22 team to Rio instead of the current crop of established all-stars? What would your roster look like, and how do you think they’d do?

Craig Battle, senior editor

PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Justise Winslow
PF: Myles Turner
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Sixth man: Jahlil Okafor

A few years from now? Pretty formidable squad. Now? They’d get drilled. No experience, no chemistry, etc. They’d suffer for the same reasons the pre-Redeem Team U.S. squads suffered. Lots of talent, no cohesion.

Dave Zarum, NBA editor

PG: Cameron Payne
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Justise Winslow
PF: Myles Turner
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Sixth Man: Josh Jackson (HS Sr.)

Payne is the biggest wildcard, but otherwise a run to the gold medal game is in the cards.

booker_devin

Jeff Simmons, sports enthusiast

PG: Kris Dunn
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: Aaron Gordon
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns
C: Jahlil Okafor

Basically these guys are finishing bronze. I like the more-experienced French over them despite the upside.

Evan Rosser, senior editor
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Justise Winslow
PF: Myles Turner
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Sixth Man: Jabari Parker

I think this team would drop the bronze medal game.

Justise-Winslow

Dan Robson, senior writer
PG: Kris Dunn
SG: D’Angelo Russell
SF: Justise Winslow
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Sixth Man: Jahlil Okafor

I’d say they win bronze.

Donnovan Bennett, staff writer
PG: Zach LaVine
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Justise Winslow
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns
C: Myles Turner

A lock for gold.

@DaveZarum

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