NBA: Odom pulls out of Olympic team; Lin, Stiemsma from select team

The hits keep coming for the United States men's basketball Olympic team. Shortly after 2012 overall number one pick Anthony Davis' status became questionable due to a sprained ankle, 2010 FIBA World Championships gold medalist Lamar Odom announced that he was dropping out of consideration for the London Olympics squad.

Lamar Odom tells ESPNLA he will skip Team USA this summer and work with trainers in L.A. and focus on this season.

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 2, 2012

ESPN Los Angeles' Arash Markazi broke the news on Twitter, saying that Odom would "work with trainers in L.A. and focus on this season." Odom was recently traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Clippers. Shortly after, Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports reported that Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, has listed nine players as having "assured bids" in the Olympic team: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant and Tyson Chandler.

Jerry Colangelo just told me nine of the 12 guys for the Olympics team are assured bids. They are Chris Paul, ... sulia.com/c/basketball/f…

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 2, 2012

6 players competing for the final 3 spots: Blake Griffin, James Harden, Eric Gordon, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, Anthony Davis

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 2, 2012

In related news, point guard Jeremy Lin and center Greg Stiemsma also announced that they were withdrawing from the Olympic select team, the squad that scrimmages against Team USA and is considered as a training pool for future Olympians. With Odom's withdrawal, that leaves three spots up for grabs between six players: Blake Griffin, James Harden, Eric Gordon, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay and Davis.

Jeremy Lin and Greg Stiemsma have withdrawn from the Olympic select team. Lin because of lack of contract, Stiemsma because of foot injury

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) July 3, 2012

In statement, Lin says: "It was such an incredible honor to be selected, but I have withdrawn ... because of my status as a free agent."

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) July 3, 2012

Lin, cont: "I hope to have the opportunity to participate with USA Basketball at some point in the future."

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) July 3, 2012

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports that Lin is pulling out due to his current lack of a contract, while Stiemsma is rehabbing from a foot injury. In a statement, Lin said, "It was such an incredible honor to be selected, but I have withdrawn…because of my status as a free agent. "I hope to have the opportunity to participate with USA Basketball at some point in the future." - AMD, GMA News