Young Clippers and Lakers players thrilled to be practicing against U.S. Olympic team

Forward Brice Johnson had his welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment before he even put on a Clippers uniform.

Johnson, chosen 25th by the Clippers from North Carolina in this year’s NBA draft, is a member of the USA Basketball Select Team, which has been practicing and scrimmaging against the U.S. Olympic team this week. His teammates include small forward Brandon Ingram, who was drafted second by the Lakers out of Duke, and young Lakers D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

Johnson is enjoying the experience, but facing established players has shown him how much he must still learn.

“It’s definitely introduced me to the NBA. It’s definitely one of the toughest things I’ve done,” he said Wednesday. “This is really good to be able to get in here and get in against a little of the competition I’m going to be playing against in the next few months, so it’s been pretty good so far.”

Ingram is taking the same approach.

“It’s a great opportunity and I want to take advantage of it,” he said. “I’m learning a lot.”

For Randle, one of the prime benefits is playing for select team Coach Gregg Popovich, a five-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs and the designated successor to U.S. Olympic Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Randle and Popovich chatted often Wednesday, with Randle often initiating the conversations.

“I’m curious about things and whenever I have a question I’m not going to be afraid to ask, I’m not going to hesitate, I’m just going to go up and ask him,” Randle said. “He’s a Hall of Fame legendary coach, so any time I get the chance to pick his brain I’m going to do it now. I’m not going to be able to do it during the season because he’s going to be trying to kill me.”

Popovich appreciated Randle’s interest.

“I didn’t know him at all until he got here. What I found out is he’s got a great sense of humor first of all. He’s a fun guy to joke with and he’ll joke back,” Popovich said. “He’s worked very hard. He’s very coachable. He listens. He takes direction. So he’s been very enjoyable so far.”

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