COLORADO SPRINGS (2016 Rio Olympics) - Damian Lillard asked USA Basketball to give him a chance to make the country's Olympic squad and his wish was granted on Wednesday when his name was added to the list of finalists.

The Portland Trail Blazers guard, who played in two friendly games before the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup but did not make the final roster, is averaging career-highs of 24.2 points (6th in the NBA) and 7.3 assists per game (7th in the NBA).

"I recently received a call from Damian, and during our conversation he expressed his desire to be considered for the U.S. Olympic Team and to remain involved with the USA national team in the future as well," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.

Both Mike (Krzyzewski) and I feel like Damian is playing at a very high level and that he should be added to our list of Olympic finalists. Damian has been a member of the USA national team since 2014, and he participated in national team training camps in 2013 and 2014, so he does have equity in USA Basketball, which is always important to me. - Colangelo

Lillard has been in scintillating form for Portland, who are just a half-game out of the eighth and last play-off spot in the Western Conference.

USA Basketball did not include Lillard on their original 30-man list. Lillard has been outstanding this season but was not, to the surprise of many, voted to the Western Conference All-Star Team or named as a reserve.

It's not going to be easy to make the final 12 for Rio de Janeiro. The USA won the FIBA Basketball World Cup to clinch a spot at the Olympics and 10 of the players from that team are finalists.

Lillard is nevertheless playing extremely well. He is not just scoring and creating opportunities for his Portland teammates, but also averaging 4.4 rebounds per game. He is burying 41.8 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from 3-point range.

The USA Olympic squad will be named later this year.

Updated list of finalists for USA squad: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Mike Conley, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Rudy Gay, Paul George, Draymond Green, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, DeAndre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, John Wall and Russell Westbrook.

FIBA