Michigan basketball has officially started down the path to the 2012 Olympics. It was released yesterday that Jon Horford, a junior on Michigan's basketball team, is currently attempting to make the Dominican Republic's national team. What does this mean? Many reported that he had already made the team, but later reports have confirmed that he is not officially on the team at this point.I think every Michigan fan would be excited about watching a current Michigan basketball player compete in London for the Olympics this summer. However, there are a few things to note before the entire fan base starts celebrating this achievement. First, Horford is not actually on the team at this point. He is practicing with the team, but hasn't been confirmed as a member yet. Along with this, national teams have to play in qualifying rounds to make the Olympic games in London. Basically, just because you're on a national team doesn't guarantee you in a spot in the Olympics.
Right now, the Dominican Republic basketball team does not have a spot guaranteed in the 2012 Olympics. The Painted Area, a basketball blog, did a set of power rankings regarding 2012 Olympics basketball and has the Dominican Republic listed as "strong contenders" to get a spot in London. I'm not going to make elaborate predictions on whether they'll make it or not, largely because I don't follow world basketball that closely, but the point is still clear, even if Horford makes the team, he may not actually make the Olympic games this summer.
