Former Arizona teammates Josh Green and Nico Mannion have another milestone to add to their already prolific basketball careers: Olympians.
Green was named to the Australian Olympic roster last week, while Mannion helped lead Italy to a 2020 Tokyo Olympics berth Sunday.
Green, who just completed his first season with the Dallas Mavericks, is one of six NBA players on Australia’s team. The Sydney native beat out several Aussies competing for a spot on the 12-man roster.
At 20 years old, Green is the youngest player on the Australian Olympic team.
The Boomers are No. 3 in the FIBA World Rankings and should have a decent shot at winning a medal.
Australia will head to Las Vegas this week to compete in exhibition matchups before traveling to Tokyo.
Italy and Mannion faced a tougher road to Tokyo, having to secure a berth at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament this weekend in Belgrade, Serbia.
Italy, which entered the tournament ranked No. 10 in the world, shocked the No. 5 ranked Serbians 102-95 to secure one of four remaining spots.
Mannion had 24 points on 7-of -17 shooting and 9-of-9 free throws. He dished out three assists in 28 minutes.
Olympic Nico Mannion is here he led Italy in scoring with 20 points and helped knock off serbia #FIBAOQT #FIBA #Italy pic.twitter.com/6a6M5xtBSF
— Kade Butler (@KadeButlerSJ) July 4, 2021
Like Green, the 20-year old Mannion is the youngest player on his team.
The Golden State Warriors point guard was born in Siena, Tuscany, Italy and his mom, Gaia Bianchi, once played for the Italian national volleyball team.
Green and Mannion will be the only former UA men’s basketball players competing in the Olympics. Mannion’s NBA coach, Steve Kerr, will represent Arizona as an assistant coach for Team USA.
Australia and Italy could potentially square off in the Olympic Preliminary Round, as both are participants of Group B.
Italy makes it to the Olympic Games after 17 years
via @ennioterbo pic.twitter.com/wQz53G0Bzo
— Sportando (@Sportando) July 4, 2021