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Victor Oladipo not named to Nigeria basketball roster

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the net in front of Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the net in front of Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Victor Oladipo has yet to make a decision on whether he will play in the Olympics this summer. Nigeria left him off its preliminary Olympic roster.

Victor Oladipo appears not to be playing in this year’s Olympics as he was left off Nigeria’s preliminary roster for the 2016 Olympics, according to Sportando.

Nigeria qualified for the Olympics through its win at Afrobasket last summer and is sending a roster full of NBA and former NBA players including Al-Farouq Aminu, Festus Ezeli, Thanassis Antetokounmmpo, Ike Diogu and former Orlando Magic center Olumide Oyedeji.

Oladipo is still under consideration for a spot on the roster, but the coaching staff did not want to put any pressure on him to make a decision or announce anything before it was official. Nigeria basketball federation president Tijani Umar told AllAfrica.com the reasoning behind the decision:

"“The 28th name is Victor Oladipo, but he has not yet decided and we don’t want to put his name out before he reaches a decision. We are being professional about it — until we get his consent, we won’t put his name out. Oladipo has been in training camp with the U.S. national team and yet to make the team. So sometimes decision can be tough when it comes to that.”"

It would appear then that Oladipo has a spot on the preliminary roster at least, should he elect to make his national team allegiance with Nigeria before the Rio Olympics begin in August.

Oladipo grew up outside Washington, D.C. and was born in the United States, however he qualifies to play for Nigeria because his mother was born in Nigeria. It was likely his best chance to play in the Olympics barring some unforeseen jump in production and notoriety for the U.S. Basketball program.

He left the door open to the possibility of playing for Nigeria this summer late in the season, telling Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel he would look into it at the end of the season. It appears he is still making a decision about his international basketball future.

Oladipo was one of player named to the initial U.S. Olympic Team roster pool in 2015. He had one of the best individual performances in the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team Showcase in Las Vegas, which Elfrid Payton and Tobias Harris also played in.

Oladipo is considered in the playing pool, but he is not on the roster yet. And considering how deep the U.S. National Team’s pool is, it seems somewhat unlikely Oladipo will be able to cut through clutter and make the roster. If he wants to play in the Olympics, Nigeria would seemingly have a guaranteed starter’s spot and starring role for him.

It really is about what Oladipo wants to do this summer. The Magic’s young guard still seems to be stewing over this decision.

Oladipo certainly has shown he can take on something of a starring role for short stretches. He saw his scoring average dip to 16.0 points per game this year although his effective field goal percentage was a career-best 48.9 percent.

After the All-Star Break, Oladipo averaged 19.4 points per game and posted a 51.9 percent effective field goal percentage. Once again, Oladipo began to look like a potential all star to end the season.

This will be a big summer for his development. Perhaps the Magic can get a preview with him starring and leading Nigeria at the Olympics with a talented roster in support, but no one quite at his level in the NBA yet.

Related Story: Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Evan Fournier

Oladipo will be one of many Magic players participating in international tournaments this summer.

Evan Fournier is currently vacationing in the Philippines, but he will return there this July with the French national team for their Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Fournier may not play however because of his contract situation. Andrew Nicholson and Canada will also be there — Nicholson is likely to make the roster again.

Mario Hezonja was also named to Croatia’s preliminary roster for their Olympic Qualifying Tournament this July. If he is named to the final roster, he will miss the Magic’s Summer League to play and help Croatia qualify for the Olympics.

Nikola Vucevic will also play for Montenegro in Eurobasket qualifying later on this year after the Olympics too.