Anthony Davis rose to the top of the basketball totem pole faster than anyone in recent memory.
The Chicagoan went from a little-known local high school basketball player to the most sought-after prep prospect in the country, an NCAA National Champion and the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, all in the span of two years.
But having an opportunity to represent your country and win a gold medal in the Olympics is the ultimate honor for any athlete. Davis gets his opportunity this summer as a member of Team USA.
“It's been great playing on the USA basketball team as a rookie,” Davis told NBC Chicago while in Washington, D.C., for the Nike World Basketball Festival. "It's a great opportunity and a great experience and I'm just trying to learn from all the guys."
After originally not making the team, Davis was selected as a first alternate when Los Angeles Clippers star, Blake Griffin, injured his knee while training with Team USA in Las Vegas. Davis gives the team added front-line depth with his rebounding and shot-blocking ability.
“When I got the call to come back it was good, but at the same time it wasn't because Blake went down," Davis said. "It was his first year in the Olympics, and he worked really hard to get here and he deserved to be here.”
Not only will he represent his country proudly while competing in London, he'll also be proud to represent Chicago in place of injured Chicago Bulls star, Derrick Rose, who was a lock to make the men's National Team this summer.
“It's going to be great to represent Chicago, but most importantly the U.S. as well. It's just a great opportunity for me and I'm just going to try and take advantage of it.”
