Australia include Bogut on Olympic roster

MELBOURNE (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Andrew Bogut has been named in Australia's squad for the Rio de Janeiro Games despite his ongoing recovery from the knee injury he suffered while playing for Golden State in the NBA Finals.

Bogut got hurt in Game 5 of the NBA Finals when he challenged a shot by a driving JR Smith and fell to the floor.

Australia coach Andrej Lemanis believes that Bogut, who was recently traded from Golden State to the Dallas Mavericks, still has time to strengthen the knee and expects him to be fit enough to help the team.

Australia 12-player roster for Rio 2016 Olympic Games
David Andersen	Cameron Bairstow	Aron Baynes	Andrew Bogut
Ryan Broekhoff	Matthew Dellavedova	Chris Goulding	Joe Ingles
Kevin Lisch	Damian Martin	Pat Mills	Brock Motum

Bogut played at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games but injuries prevented him from being with the Boomers when they competed in London fourth years ago.

Pat Mills, one of the leading players in the Australia side, says a Bogut that is not fully fit can nevertheless make a positive impact.

"I don't think, for our Australian team, he needs to be 100 percent healthy to make an impact for us," Mills said. "He can be 50 percent as long as he doesn’t re-hurt it or anything. His presence is key for our team to be able to make an impact and that's the biggest thing for us, I think."

Bogut was in the side that won the FIBA Oceania Championship last year.

David Andersen is set to become one of only eight Australian men to play at four Olympics, while Mills, Joe Ingles and Bogut are off to their third Games. Matthew Dellavedova, who helped Cleveland win the NBA Finals but has since joined Milwaukee, and Aron Baynes featured four years ago.

Chris Goulding is still pinching himself after being included. Having featured in last year's team at the FIBA Oceania Championship, he spent this past season with Melbourne United. Set to play for Torino in Italy's top flight in 2016-17, the sharpshooter is excited to be going to Rio.

"It's amazing and really overwhelming - there was a little bit of every emotion. Relief, excitement, but then it's also a bit tough with the teammates that missed out."

Ryan Broekhoff, Cameron Bairstow, Brock Motum, Kevin Lisch and Damian Martin will also make their Olympic bows.

Among those not to make it are Brad Newley, who had played at the last two Olympics.

"Brad has been a fantastic servant to Australian international basketball for a long time and my relationship with Brad goes back a long time," Lemanis said to the Sydney Morning Herald. "Back when he first came into the NBL with Townsville I was up there [as assistant coach] and I helped recruit him.

"I'm certainly very thankful for everything he has contributed up to this point and it was a sad day for both of us. I got to the point where I told him he hadn't made it this time but it's a reality of sport that tough calls have to be made."

Aleks Maric, Daniel Kickert and Nathan Jawai are bigs that have been cut. Guards Adam Gibson and Cameron Gliddon have also been let go.

Lemanis can still make a roster change up to 5 August.

The Boomers play the PAC 12 college all-stars at Hisense Arena on Tuesday and Thursday night.

FIBA