USA - Americans add Davis to roster

LAS VEGAS (Olympics) - USA Basketball announced on Friday that Anthony Davis will play at the Olympics as the replacement for injured superstar Blake Griffin.

Davis, who led the Kentucky Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament title earlier this year and was recently selected first overall in the NBA Draft by New Orleans, joined the United States on Thursday to fill in for Griffin in a friendly against the Dominican Republic.

Griffin was hurt in Las Vegas on Wednesday, with MRI results on Thursday indicating that he has suffered a medial meniscus tear of his left knee.

His NBA team, the Los Angeles Clippers, confirmed his absence from the Olympics.

“We are sorry to have received confirmation of Blake’s injury which has forced his withdrawal from the USA Team for this summer,” said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.

“Blake worked extremely hard in our training camp and certainly would have been a valuable contributor.

"This is another unfortunate injury, but we have to continue to move on and we’re very fortunate to have Anthony Davis available.

"Anthony offers our team additional height and length, and this will be an incredible experience for him."

Davis, who made his USA debut on Thursday in a big win over the Dominicans, plans to do whatever is asked.

“Whatever Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) wants me to do I am going to do," he said.

"I am going to look forward to the challenges, and I’m looking forward to going overseas and my first time out of the United States.

"I am looking forward to that and getting to mingle with some of the guys and getting to know them and their workout routines and how they get ready for each game.

"They are superstars and they are here for a reason, so I'll just try to emulate what they do.”

Griffin admitted missing the London Games was a huge disappointment.

“I'm disappointed I can't be with the guys in London," he said.

"I want to wish them all the best in their pursuit of the gold medal."

FIBA