TORONTO -- There are few honours bigger than playing at the Olympic Games, Dwane Casey believes.
So the Toronto Raptors coach was thrilled Thursday to hear that Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will team up for the U.S. squad at this summer's Rio Olympics.
"Five years ago if you'd have said those two young men would be Olympians everybody (would have laughed), but those guys have put in the work, they've improved as players and become all-stars and now Olympians," Casey said.
"What bigger credit could you be to your franchise, to your family and to yourself than by making yourself an all-star and then representing the U.S. as an Olympian? My hat is off to those two young men. They deserve it, they've worked and earned it, both young men."
Lowry, DeRozan and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks will play for the U.S., a person with knowledge of the details told the Associated Press on Thursday.
The Americans were still awaiting decisions from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving but had solidified 10 of their 12 roster spots, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the roster discussions were to remain private. The roster is to be selected Monday.
DeRozan played for the Americans when they won the gold medal at the Basketball World Cup in 2014, but Lowry's inclusion on the roster was a surprise, since he wasn't even in the Americans' roster pool of 31 players.
Casey doesn't believe their participation in Rio will hurt the Raptors.
"They would have been in the gym somewhere," Casey said. "I promise you Kyle runs those hills in Vegas (part of his off-season training) a lot harder and longer, but that doesn't bother me.
"I think the honour and the experience that those two guys will bring -- hopefully DeMar comes back (DeRozan is a free agent) -- but bring it back to the team. And all those stories that you've heard of the guys that go to the Olympics. . .come back much better and share the experience and work ethic, come back much better players and able to share that with their teammates."
James told reporters Wednesday during Cleveland's victory celebration that he was leaning toward not playing.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Indiana's Paul George, Golden State's Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Chicago's Jimmy Butler and the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan are also committed to play for the two-time defending champions in Rio de Janeiro.
Kawhi Leonard passed on the opportunity to play, with the San Antonio Spurs announcing his withdrawal in a news release.
"This was a very difficult decision. It's an honour to have been considered for the team and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for USA Basketball," Leonard said.
With Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook all withdrawing, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said earlier this month he wouldn't rule out adding another guard.
He may even need to add another if Irving declines to play. Irving was the MVP of the 2014 Basketball World Cup and would probably start for the Americans if he opted to play after helping the Cavaliers win the NBA title.
Yahoo Sports first reported Thursday that Anthony, Lowry and DeRozan would play.
Durant won gold in 2012. George, Green, Thompson, Cousins, Butler and Jordan would all be making their Olympic debuts.
With files from The Associated Press
