Indiana Pacers forward Paul George has revealed that he is determined to play for Team USA again despite suffering a devastating injury during a practice session last year.
The 25-year-old sustained a broken leg during a team scrimmage ahead of the FIBA World Cup, and was ruled out for the majority of the 2014-15 season.
However, George has now targeted a return to the national team for the Olympics next year, and has revealed that he has the support of Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird and coach Mike Krzyzewski to do so.
"Larry, of all people, knows how important it is to play and represent your country. So he's got my back on that one, and it's a personal goal," George told reporters. "Coach Krzyzewski knows I'm on board.
"I feel great. I still notice some things that are not Paul George characteristic yet, but I feel good and the good thing is we're still in mid-summer. By training camp, I'll be ready to go."
George has averaged 15.5 points per game in his career with the Pacers.
