Luc and the Olympics
Even while on vacation I was hearing former UCLA power forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was not going to be allowed to play for Cameroon's national team in Olympic qualifying because of the Milwaukee Bucks want him to play for their summer league team.
I spoke to a source Wednesday about that, and was told Mbah a Moute was still holding out hope, although it really looks like a long shot now.
Mbah a Moute signed with the Bucks and it looks like he will play in the summer league rather than join Cameroon's team in a few days.
Here's a story from NBA.com about it, and note the last paragraph that spells out Mbah a Moute's schedule.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
When he got drafted in the 2nd round, it should have been the signal to him that he wasn't likely to play for Cameroon this summer.
2nd round draft choice = dancing time. You dance and dance and dance, and then dance some more. Why? Because you don't have a guaranteed contract.
I feel bad for him, and I commend his sense of pride, but I'm sure be is perfectly aware that the most important opportunity of his life is sitting in front of him and it's time to dance...
Just as USA Basketball is touting it's three-year committed team, composed of some of the very best players (Kobe and LeBron leading the way)
So should all NBA teams honor players requests to play for their country.
Country before club - much the same way FIFA does in international soccer. It's a shame that the Milwaukee Bucks will prevent LRMAM from representing Cameroon (and the Bucks and UCLA kinda in a way too) in the Olympics.
It should be Luc's choice if his national team wants him.
Luc should decided whether it's in his best long-term interests at this stage in his career whether or not to play, not the Bucks.
Well, he knew what he was getting himself into by staying in the draft. He can't have it both ways. He made his choice so he has to live with the consequences now.