Following four days of training and an intra-squad exhibition in Las Vegas, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo announced his 15 NBA superstar players picked as finalists for the 2010 USA World Championship Team.
The three biggest names on the roster are Chicago Bulls franchise player Derrick Rose, Nuggets superstar Chauncey Billups, and Oklahoma City Thunder go-to-guy Kevin Durant.
The 2010-12 USA National Team will be coached by Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski, with USA assistant coaches Syracuse University’s Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.
Finalists will reassemble Aug. 9 in New York City and train Aug. 10-16. The official 12-man USA roster that will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championships will consist of 12 players.
“We had an outstanding week of training camp in Las Vegas and it is apparent we have a group of guys that are very focused, committed, and desirous of playing for USA Basketball. 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 think we’ve got a number of people who can shoot the ball; and so we’re pleased with our progress to date,” stated Colangelo.
“We’re really pleased with the week we had in Vegas. There’s such a great spirit to be on the team and to bring these 15 players to New York, they’ve all earned the opportunity to be there. 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 U.S. teams have been,” commented Krzyzewski.
Here are the rest of the Team USA Finalists:
NAME POS HGT WGT DOB CURRENT TEAM / COLLEGE or HIGH SCHOOL
Chauncey Billups G 6-3 202 9/25/76 Denver Nuggets / University of Colorado
Tyson Chandler C 7-1 235 10/02/82 Dallas Mavericks / Dominguez H.S. (CA)
Stephen Curry G 6-3 185 3/14/88 Golden State Warriors / Davidson College
Kevin Durant G 6-9 230 9/29/88 Oklahoma City Thunder / University of Texas
Rudy Gay F 6-8 230 8/17/86 Memphis Grizzlies / University of Connecticut
Eric Gordon G 6-3 222 12/25/88 Los Angeles Clippers / Indiana University
Danny Granger F 6-8 228 4/20/83 Indiana Pacers / University of New Mexico
Jeff Green F 6-9 235 8/28/86 Oklahoma City Thunder / Georgetown University
Andre Iguodala G/F 6-6 207 1/28/84 Philadelphia 76ers / University of Arizona
Brook Lopez C 7-0 265 4/01/88 New Jersey Nets / Stanford University
Kevin Love F 6-10 260 9/07/88 Minnesota Timberwolves / UCLA
Lamar Odom F 6-10 230 11/06/79 Los Angeles Lakers / University of Rhode Island
Rajon Rondo G 6-1 171 2/22/86 Boston Celtics / University of Kentucky
Derrick Rose G 6-3 190 10/04/88 Chicago Bulls / University of Memphis
Russell Westbrook G 6-3 187 11/12/88 Oklahoma City Thunder / UCLA