Derrick Rose returned to Team USA practice on Thursday, and the Chicago Bulls superstar could play in their upcoming exhibition game against Puerto Rico on Friday at the Madison Square Garden.
Rose, who is working his way back to his old form after recovering from two straight major knee injuries, missed USA's 105-62 win against Dominican Republic on Wednesday night, but he said after Thursday's practice that he is already feeling good.
"I'm feeling good," Rose said via ESPN. "I'm gonna give it a go tomorrow and see how it goes, and I'm just trying to stay positive until then."
The 25-year-old point guard was reportedly scratched from Wednesday's game because he experienced pain in both knees, but Rose was quick to point out that his knees had nothing to do with his decision to skip practice and sit out against Dominican Republic.
Rose, who has been performing week since the USA Basketball training camp started, reiterated that he could have played on Wednesday, but the coaching staff, led by head coach Mike Krzyzewski decided to sit him out to get a good look at some of the players who are trying to make the squad.
"I could've played, but there's no point when you can get a little bit more rest, so that's all I'm trying to do," Rose said.
NBA analysts are expressing doubt whether or not Rose is fit to play for Team USA in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain where the squad will play five games in six days. Rose played down all talks, saying that it's up to the coaching staff to decide whether he will be fielded in a game or not.
"If I can play, I'm gonna play -- no matter when it is or how many games it is," Rose said. "If I'm healthy enough to play, I'm gonna play. I'm not worried about that. With all the training that I've done in the past, I think that I'm prepared for it."
Rose, who was one of the key players when Team USA won the world title in 2010, is expected to make the final squad along with fellow point guards Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving.
