Andre Drummond makes final cut for FIBA World Cup roster

Watching from the bench for the entirety of last night's scrimmage against Puerto Rico, Andre Drummond looked like he was more of a certainty to be cut than on the bubble. But it turns out that Mike Krzyzewski must think more highly of the talented young center than his playing time suggests.

Drummond was electric when he did get on the court against the Dominican Republic, putting up 12 points, 5 rebounds, a block, and a steal.

Team USA Basketball released their final roster this morning, and Andre Drummond made the cut. The final roster cuts were instead a group of perimeter players: Chandler Parsons, Damian Lillard, Kyle Korver and Gordon Hayward.

That means that the team will include three players who will spend most of their time at center, by far the deepest position on the team. Perhaps this means that Coach K wanted additional insurance for the hobbled DeMarcus Cousins or for the stout Spanish frontline of Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, and Pau Gasol.

Or perhaps Krzyzewski and Colangelo are considering the future and recognize the enormous potential of the 21 year old frontcourt pairing of Drummond and Anthony Davis. Certainly, the exposure to this level of play and some of the most talented coaches in the game is a terrific opportunity for Drummond.

The schedule starts up on August 30, though Team USA has one remaining scrimmage next Tuesday against Slovenia in Spain. Games run until September 14, then Drummond will have a short rest before the NBA preseason starts on October 4.

Update: ESPN's Jeff Goodman reports that Drummond sneaked in with the final spot, beating out Chandler Parsons.

Here's the full roster:

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

H/T to Bad Boy Skip for getting it up in the FanShots.