Lakers guard Alex Caruso named to USA Basketball Training Camp Roster

After a rookie season in the NBA that saw him make his Los Angeles Lakers debut on a two-way contract that also had him spending time in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, Alex Caruso has been rewarded for his strong production with a spot on the USA Basketball Training Camp Roster (Update: He made the team):

Caruso averaged 19 points, seven assists and two steals per game in the G League, and 3.6 points and two assists per game in his 37 NBA appearances. Caruso also made the All NBA G League second team for his efforts in South Bay.

Team USA is using G League players for upcoming qualifying tournaments because they conflict with the NBA regular season, and Caruso and the 13 other players on the roster will compete for 12 spots on the team that will compete in the USA’s World Cup Qualifying third-window games, which will take place in Mexico City, Mexico on June 28 and Havana, Cuba on July 1.

ABC broadcaster and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy will coach the team during the qualifying tournaments.

Right as the news came out, Caruso was already back in the UCLA Health Training Center to start his personal preparation process:

According to the South Bay Lakers’ press release on Caruso making the roster, we’ll know more about whether or not he will take his rightful place as Captain America soon:

The USA will hold training camp June 20-26 in Houston, and the team is expected to be announced prior to the team’s departure for Mexico onJune 26. The player selections are made by the USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team Committee.

Stay tuned to Silver Screen and Roll for updates on Caruso’s quest for Team USA.

All stats per NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.