Scoring champion Kevin Durant and veterans Chauncey Billups and Rajon Rondo were among 15 NBA standouts named as finalists for the US world championships team.
The US team that competes for a world title in Turkey starting Aug. 28 will feature none of the talent that reclaimed an Olympic gold medal for the US in Beijing in 2008, but should still be a formidable force.
Boston backcourt star Rondo and Detroit playmaker Billups were joined by Durant and teammates Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green from Oklahoma City, Lamar Odom of NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana’s Danny Granger, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Minnesota’s Kevin Love and Chicago’s Derrick Rose.
Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay of Memphis, Tyson Chandler of Dallas, Brook Lopez of New Jersey and Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers were also among the group that will fill out the final 12-man world team roster.
TUNEUP GAMES
The announcement came after four days of training in Las Vegas and ahead of a series of tuneup games for the US squad ahead of the worlds. Final lineups do not have to be submitted until the eve of the tournament.
“We have a group of guys that are very focused, committed and desirous of playing for USA Basketball,” team chairman Jerry Colangelo said.
“The identity of the team is still evolving, but it is pretty obvious we’re going to be very athletic. We’re going to be very strong in the back court. We think our shooting ability is underestimated. We’re pleased with our progress,” he said.
Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski returns to guide the US national team, which will reassemble on Aug. 9 in New York ahead of a week of training.
“We have an unconventional team that we’re forming, but it’s still one that is built with great spirit, athleticism and a little bit more guard oriented than most US teams have been,” Krzyzewski said.
SACRIFICE
“I like their attitude. They want to learn and they’re willing to sacrifice for what’s best for the whole. There’s a great, great spirit of cooperation,” he said.
The US team will participate in the inaugural World Basketball Festival in New York, which includes practice sessions at Rucker Park’s famed outdoor courts in Harlem and Radio City Music Hall, plus an Aug. 15 game against France at Madison Square Garden, which also hosts a China-Puerto Rico matchup.
The US will also play three exhibition games in Europe ahead of the World Championships, facing Lithuania on Aug. 21 and Spain on Aug. 22 in Madrid and Greece in Athens on Aug. 25.
“We have much more to do in New York and in our upcoming exhibition games as we proceed toward Turkey, but we’re excited and enthusiastic about our chances,” Colangelo said.
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