Going from the G-League to Team USA camp in the same season is possible! This is what happened Micah Potter during the preparation of the “Avengers” for the Olympic Games.
On a two-way contract with the Jazz, this center was about to go on vacation with his girlfriend when he received a call from his agent informing him of his invitation to join the Select Team. The kind of invitation you can't refuse, and too bad for the vacation! “It's non-negotiable. It was a no-brainer.”admits Micah Potter. “It’s one of those things that only happens once in a lifetime.”
He owes this selection in large part to his G-League coach, Steve Wojciechowski. A graduate of Duke, like Grant Hill, the manager of Team USA, he also spent 15 years on the staff of the former coach, Mike Krzyzewski. At 2m08 and 112 kg, and his ability to shoot from afar, Micah Potter was the ideal “sparring partner” to play the role of the FIBA interior.
A full member
In Las Vegas, but also in Abu Dhabi and London, Micah Potter had the immense privilege of rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the league and even sharing their daily lives. He was able to get closer to Joel Embiid, whom he replaced during scrimmages and sometimes faced in training.
He even allowed himself to tease him, like the rest of the group, because the Cameroonian never dunks.
Even though he has “only” 1,466 fewer NBA games than LeBron James, the Salt Lake City Stars center felt like a full-fledged member of this team. And LeBron James gave him a pair of worn shoes.
“I've always been in my place,” he believes. “I always felt like I belonged in this group, I behaved like I belonged in this group and I played like I belonged in this group. I never doubted myself before, but being on the field with the best players in the United States, it just boosted my confidence.”
