LeBron, Kobe among 9 players assured spot on Olympic basketball team
In a phone interview with FOX Sports Florida, Colangelo said 2008 Olympic holdovers LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams are assured of being on the team in London...
Several NBA superstars have backed out of this summer’s Olympic Games due to injury. With Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh out, the road to gold will not be as smooth for the men’s team — though a gold medal is still highly likely. Monday, Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports spoke with USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. Colangelo revealed nine players who are suiting up and the confirms there are six remaining players fighting for the final three spots:
In a phone interview with FOX Sports Florida, Colangelo said 2008 Olympic holdovers LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams are assured of being on the team in London along with 2010 World Championship holdovers Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler.
Colangelo said that leaves six players vying for the final three spots as Team USA will have practices Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas before the team is announced at 7 p.m. EDT Saturday in a selection show being televised by NBA TV. They are Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis. Despite a sprained ankle that could sideline him this week, Colangelo said Davis remains under consideration for the team.
Colangelo said Lamar Odom dropped out Monday, leaving Team USA with 15 finalists. He said there will be no further additions to the team. The three finalists who don’t make the 12-man roster will be alternates.
“We will not be adding anybody,” Colangelo said. “We feel good with what we have.”
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