Magic's Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris motivated by Team USA camp
When you're a member of Team USA, one goal stands above all others. That shiny gold medal is the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's what everyone's competing and training for. But for young guys like Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris of the Orlando Magic, there's an additional benefit to being in camp in Las Vegas this week to practice with the rest of the potential members of Team USA.
Oladipo and Harris are getting extensive experience working with some of the greatest players in the NBA. They're learning their habits, watching how they work, and picking their brains for insight on how they approach the game on and off the court. It's an invaluable stretch of time that has helped countless rookies with huge amounts of potential grow into the very best players they can be.
For Harris, being invited to camp means knowing that an extra set of eyes or two will be on him next season, which means he has to perform at his very best. "Obviously, they're going to be watching everybody," Harris said of the Team USA coaches and staff. "I think my play in the season will have a lot to determine if [I'm] selected or not, and I think that's [true] for a lot of guys here."
"It just motivates me to come into next year and make things happen for our team and get our team on the right track," Harris added.
Oladipo, for his part, recognized immediately the culture that's pervasive anytime Team USA comes together. "It's just a great experience becoming a part of the culture here and hopefully having the opportunity to play in the Olympics,' he said. "A gold medal would be a blessing and an honor, so hopefully I have the chance to do that."
(h/t Orlando Sentinel)
Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports
