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Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler makes U.S. Olympic basketball team

With so many stars opting to drop out of contention for the Olympic team, USA Basketball announced a final 12-man roster on Monday, nearly a month before training camp opens on July 18 in Las Vegas.

Bulls guard Jimmy Butler made the cut. He'll join Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, DeAndre Jordan, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and three members of the Golden State Warriors - Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes.

Former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is an assistant on Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski's staff. The Olympic team will play an exhibition at the United Center on July 29 against Venezuela.

At the Advocate Center on Monday, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg talked about going to Los Angeles a couple weeks ago to meet with Butler.

"Jimmy and I have pretty much been in constant communication since the season's been over," Hoiberg said. "He's in a great frame of mind right now."

Hoiberg spoke to Butler by phone two days ago and saw him at the Advocate Center, so they have been in touch since Derrick Rose was traded to New York. Hoiberg says Butler talked about spending time in Las Vegas with the Bulls' summer squad.

Bulls first-round pick Denzel Valentine said Butler reached out after the draft.

"I like Jimmy Butler a lot," Valentine said. "He's tough. He's not afraid to compete and get after it, no matter who he's playing against. He's really developed his offensive game. If you get him the basketball, he's going to get a bucket. I like playing with players like that. I get more assists."

Meet the new guys:

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg misspoke when asked about the players added in last week's Derrick Rose trade. Hoiberg referred to new Bulls center Robin Lopez as Brook, his twin brother who plays for Brooklyn.

Nevertheless, Hoiberg had positive things to say about new additions Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon.

"You look at Brook Lopez (sic), a guy I've always thought very highly of going back to the draft when I was working in the front office in Minnesota," Hoiberg said. "He's a guy who will run to the rim every time. He's going to set screens and he's going to be a forceful rim roller. The thing I'm most excited about is his ability on the defensive end of the floor.

"Jerian Grant is a guy we felt very highly of in last year's draft class. He had a great last month of the season (averaging 14.5 points). Again, another young player who can play with pace. Calderon shot over 40 percent from 3 the last three years. I think we got three very good players."

Bull horns:

General manager Gar Forman said the Bulls are not planning any changes among the assistant coaches. ... Assistant Pete Myers will head the summer league squad, which will include rookie Denzel Valentine, along with Bobby Portis, Cristiano Felicio, Jerian Grant and Spencer Dinwiddie. Coach Fred Hoiberg said Doug McDermott will practice with the summer squad. ... Valentine confirmed he was named after actor Denzel Washington, who reached out recently when he heard the news.

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