Former IU basketball forward Trayce Jackson-Davis soaking in experience at Team USA Camp: ‘Being out on the court with these dudes, it was a blessing.’

The 2024 Summer Olympics are just around the corner and when it comes to preparation, now is the time that every country puts on the final touches before they compete for the prestigious gold medal. When it comes to basketball for Team USA, their preparation has been going on since last week when the players, which is full of future hall of famers as well as a former IU basketball standout, arrived in Las Vegas before things kick off in France.

Not only does the main Olympic team feature guys like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, etc., the USA Select Team has some of the brightest, young players in the NBA. Over the last few days, the Select Team practiced and scrimmaged against Team USA during their preparation for the Olympic Games.

It is an opportunity of a lifetime for the players on the USA Select team and one player that took advantage of that experience is former all-time IU basketball great, Trayce Jackson-Davis.

“It was great. Just going out here and competing,” said Trayce Jackson-Davis when speaking to the media. “They got a great team. Like I said, a bunch of Hall of Famers, some of the best players ever. Just being out on the same court as them, being able to compete … I feel like it’s been a great experience.”

Jackson-Davis is coming off a stellar NBA rookie season and continued the momentum from the incredible career he had with the IU basketball program. After being selected No. 57 by the Golden State Warriors, Jackson-Davis improved and improved as last season went on eventually becoming a key part of the rotation.

The former All-American had a chance to test his game against some of the best bigs in the NBA last year and at the Team USA Camp, he got a more up-close and personal experience with them. He got a chance to go up against front court guys like Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Kevin Durant, and even LeBron James.

“It’s great,” Jackson-Davis said. “Being able to go up against them, see where I line up against them, just going out there and competing at the end of the day. I’m going to be playing against them this year so just getting a little feel for it but at the end of the day, being out on the court with these dudes, it was a blessing.”

Former IU basketball forward Trayce Jackson-Davis to looking to build off his experience at Team USA Camp ahead of his second NBA season

Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

The former IU basketball forward will be entering his second season in the NBA with a more prominent role. With Draymond Green getting older and the future of Kevon Looney with the Golden State Warriors a little bit unknown, now is the time for the elite organization to start to slowly hand over the front court keys to Trayce Jackson-Davis.

With the pressure of being a more prominent member of the team next season, Jackson-Davis knew he had to get better. The product of Mike Woodson took this offseason to improve his game and change up his body alongside his fellow draft class teammate, Brandin Podziemski.

“It was the same preparation,” said Jackson-Davis. “Obviously we are still getting ready for next year but the strength and conditioning team, the trainers, they’ve done a great job with us this summer. Me and BP just getting stronger, getting faster and then just working on our craft.”

The Warriors organization is on the cusp of building towards the future after being one of the more successful NBA teams of the last decade. In order to build for the future, you have acquire young talent. The Warriors have a great core with high potential in order to have success in the future with both Jackson-Davis and Podziemski. The experience that both got being a part of the USA Select Team is going to help them in the long run.

Trayce Jackson-Davis pretty much went through all you could have as a NBA rookie and really got comfortable with the grind of being a second round draft pick. He grew up in his first season and now will continue to be one of the fastest rising players in the league next season.

“I just think my feel, kind of grew up a little bit this year, started the year in the G-League and then getting a few playing time here and there in spot minutes and then just starting at the end of the year,” Jackson-Davis said. “I just feel like my growth I just need to keep improving from that. Improving on what I need to do as a player to get my guys open shots, finish stuff of that nature.”

Below is the full interview of Trayce Jackson-Davis at Team USA Camp.

SEE ALSO: Early NBA success for Trayce Jackson-Davis ‘absolutely’ a byproduct of Mike Woodson at IU basketball

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.