Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said after the Puerto Rico game that he had concluded keeping at least five and "possibly six" big men was a must to get through the tournament, which calls for the Americans to play nine games between Aug. 30 and Sept. 14, including a potential championship game against a very large team in host Spain.
Keeping Drummond, along with Cousins and Plumlee and starters Davis and Faried, gives Krzyzewski five legit bigs, which stretches to six if Gay, who easily can play power forward internationally, is included.
Sources familiar with the selection process told ESPN.com that Dallas' Parsons in particular, thought to have a strong case to make the final 12-man roster after the withdrawal of Kevin Durant and the injury loss of Paul George, was unexpectedly squeezed out by USAB's desire to field as big a team as possible.
That desire for added size, sources said, led to the surprise inclusion of Drummond over the likes of Parsons and sharpshooter Korver, while DeRozan's size and strength relative to most guards ultimately won out over Portland's Lillard.