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Andre Drummond ‘fine’ with limited role on Team USA

2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup - Day Four

2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup - Day Four

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Andre Drummond has played a Team USA-low 26 minutes in the World Cup.

He’s the only American to receive a DNP-CD.

He’s taken just eight shots the entire tournament.

But do you hear the Pistons center complaining?

Heck no.

Drummond, via Chris Kudialis of the Detroit Free Press:

“It’s fine; we’re winning basketball games, and that’s the most important part about this experience,” Drummond said when asked about his reduced role. “If I don’t get the opportunity to play, the coaching staff knows what they’re doing, and it just wasn’t the right time for me to be on the court.”

Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski have done an excellent job fostering an environment where Team USA players don’t publicly gripe about their roles. It’s really incredibly given how deep the roster runs with stars.

But that’s now the expectation. Players who don’t fit that style don’t stick with the program.

And Drummond has another reason to go with the flow. At 21, he’s not only the youngest player on the Americans’ World Cup roster, he’s also younger than anyone in the 2014-16 player pool. He has a bright future with Team USA – as long as he keeps staying on message.