TORONTO (Rio 2016 Olympics) - A couple of years ago, Toronto Raptors small forward DeMar DeRozan made his international debut with world and Olympic champions USA. Fast-forward to the present day and he has his eyes set on making the final roster for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

At the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, DeRozan was part of the United States' team that finished 9-0 and successfully retained the world title.

In the process the 26-year-old forward averaged 4.8 points, 1.2 assists, 1.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes, while shooting over 53 percent from the field.

With just four months to the start of the 2016 Olympics, DeRozan - who is part of the the USA star-studded preliminary squad - is aware of the competition for the final roster and remains hopeful of making his Olympic debut in Brazil this summer.

Talking to FIBA.com, the 2.01m forward said: "The Olympics is definitely a dream. Let's just wait and see, hopefully I can make it. Everybody don’t get the chance to go to the Olympics."

With two Olympians - Anthony Davis (injured) and Chris Paul (personal reasons) - ruled out for the Rio Games, Mike Krzyzewski's preliminary roster has now been reduced to 29 players, - Damian Lillard has been added - and DeRozan, who is averaging career-highs of 23.6 points and 4.0 assists with the Raptors this season, insists he won’t be left deflated if things don't work his way.

I feel like, if I am not playing I am still part of it because once you join a USA Basketball, it’s about brotherhood. You are in it forever. If I am on it, great, if I am not I’ll still feel like I am on it, and feel proud of the guys representing us out there. - DeRozan

DeRozan's Raptors teammate Kyle Lowry has been tipped as a potential replacement for Paul.

FIBA