By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Heading to the free-agent pool of the NBA, four-time champion Klay Thompson will join the training camp of the senior national team of the Bahamas. However, he will not play in the approaching FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Follow all the action of the Olympics qualifiers with Courtside 1891 on DAZN
His international status was updated in a report by Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic on Monday.
Representing the United States in the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2014 FIBA World Cup, a potential switch to another national team must be approved by FIBA, which is not expected to happen, as noted.
Thompson, 34, intends to focus on his future in the NBA. After 11 years with the Golden State Warriors through the entirety of his professional career, he will become an unrestricted free agent next month. The native of Los Angeles, a five-time NBA All-Star, is expected to move on from the Warriors.
Meanwhile, the Bahamas are set to continue preparations in Athens, facing Montenegro and host Greece in the Acropolis Aegean International Basketball Tournament on June 26 and 27, respectively. From prep games to official action, colliding with Finland on July 2 tips off the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia. The top-ranked national team of the OQT between the Bahamas, Angola, Finland, Lebanon Poland, and host Spain will book a ticket to the Olympic Games.
Seeking the first berth in the Olympic Games, Eric Gordon, Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton, and possibly Kai Jones are the NBA players projected to play for the Bahamas this summer.