Somehow, it only took me half an hour to get out here today instead of the usual 45 minutes or so. That allowed me to do something I havent' done yet the entire time here: get all my equipment set up before practice starts.
It also allowed me to indulge in one of my other sporting passions for a few minutes. Haverford College is one of the only schools in the country with a cricket pitch on its campus, and there was a match going on when I got here. I got to watch an over or so, and given how hot it is out, that was just fine.
(Go find out what an over is for yourself.)
Anyway, the players and coaches just got here. Jay Wirhg is chatting with Josh Carter, and now he walks over and puts his arm around Eric Maynor's shoulder and gives him a few pointers.
I have to say, I'm really pleased that Maynor made it. He worked very hard here, and seems to have definitely made an impression on the selection committee. People across the country might only know him for his shot against Duke, but I'd say this is an even better measurement of his skills as a basketball player.
I'm a little bit surprised that Brandon Costner didn't make it, but then again, his injured knee definitely seemed to slow him down a step or two. David Scott thought very highly of Tasmin Mitchell and is surprised he didn't make the cut, but I admit that I wasn't paying much attention to him.
He's also surprised that Chris Lofton didn't make it, but after yesterday, I'm not.
Now Mark Gottfried is at center court telling the players to "always work on something." There are teams of two players at each basket doing pass-and-shoot drills; right now, I'm watching D.J. White and James Gist, as well as Wayne Ellington and Josh Carter.
Craig Miller, PR guy for USA Basketball, informs me that there's no set date for cutting the 14-man finalist roster down to the official 12 that will travel to Rio. I do know that they'll be up here until the 18th, then at the Verizon Center in D.C. July 19-21. I won't be here after today, though.
More to come later, and let me know what you think about the roster.
