Former UK, Morehead State players finalists for U.S. Olympic basketball team

Cousins, Davis, Wall, Faried among 30 players selected

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 18, 2016) — Former University of Kentucky basketball players DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis and John Wall and Morehead State University’s Kenneth Faried were named among the 30 finalists for the U.S. basketball team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Cousins, who played for UK during the 2009-10 season, is averaging 25.9 points and 11.1 rebounds for the Sacramento Kings.

Davis, who played for the Wildcats in 2011-12, is averaging 22.8 points and 10.6 rebounds for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Wall, who played for UK in 2009-10, is averaging 20.3 points and 9.6 assists for the Washington Wizards.

Faried, who played for Morehead from 2007-11, is averaging 12.2 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets.

The list will be trimmed to 12 players in June. The Olympics is scheduled from Aug. 5-21.

The U.S. has won gold in two straight Olympics and has taken gold in five of the past six Olympics, earning bronze in 2004.

Davis was on the 2012 gold medal team, averaging 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in seven games.