National Basketball Association

Griffin could play for US Olympic team

Published Jan. 7, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

After a stunning rookie season in which he was named NBA Rookie of the Year, played in the All-Star Game and won the Slam Dunk Contest, Blake Griffin is reported to be under consideration for the USA basketball team for the London Olympics.

USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo has until Jan. 18 to name the 18-man roster under consideration for the Games, the Los Angeles Times reported, and the Los Angeles Clippers power forward is said to be in his sights.

Colangelo originally told FOX Sports Florida in December that Griffin was certainly in the mix for the team.

"It's great to be considered to play for your country in the Olympics, but that's a long ways away," Griffin said.

"If it happens, I'll be grateful and I would be proud to try and represent our country. But right now I've got a season to worry about."

Griffin was selected first overall by the Clippers in the 2009 draft, but missed the entire 2009-10 season with a knee injury. He broke through last year, averaging 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds a game.