Durant, Anthony lead U.S. Olympic hoops team
The United States has announced its selection of the 12-player roster, led by Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, that will try to win the Americans’ third straight men’s basketball gold medal at the Olympics.
Durant and Anthony are the only players with Olympic experience after a number of stars, including LeBron James, decided to not go to Rio.
Also chosen Monday for the team were Golden State‘s Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes; Toronto‘s Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan; Cleveland‘s Kyrie Irving; Indiana‘s Paul George; Chicago‘s Jimmy Butler; Sacramento‘s DeMarcus Cousins; and the Clippers‘ DeAndre Jordan.
“I think I can speak for the entire coaching staff and say we’re extremely excited about the team we will field for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a statement. “I love our depth, which is another indication of the depth of talent our national team program is blessed with. We’ve got a great mix of talent, scorers, past gold medal winners and outstanding youth.”
Anthony, a two-time gold-medal winner and three-time medalist, becomes the first men’s basketball player selected to four Olympic teams.
Durant was among the players to tweet Monday about being selected.
It’s an honor to be a part of this. #UNITE #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/bCMkNpVniJ
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 27, 2016
Irving was the MVP of the 2014 Basketball World Cup on a U.S. team that included Thompson, Cousins and DeRozan and easily won gold.
The Americans should roll into Rio as the favorite. However, they won’t look as imposing as expected after the withdrawals of Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and James Harden.
Colangelo assembled a 31-player roster pool and had to go deep into it — and eventually beyond it — to find 12 players. Some players, such as forwards Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin, were lost to injury, while others declined the invitation for personal reasons.
“I’m anxious to get on the court, and along with my great coaching staff, get to work,” Team USA and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement.
Krzyzewski will coach the Americans for the third and final time, tying Henry Iba’s team record. Krzyzewski will be assisted by Syracuse‘s Jim Boeheim, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau and former Oklahoma City assistant Monty Williams.
Team USA will train July 18-21 in Las Vegas and has five exhibition games scheduled ahead of the Olympics in August.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
