USA Basketball sets impressive 27-man national roster for next three years

Featuring nine members of the gold medal-winning 2008 U.S. Olympic Team and a combined 54 NBA All-Star selections, USA Basketball recently revealed the 27 players who have been named to Coach K’s 2010-2012 USA Men’s National Team program.  The NBA’s top five scorers this season — LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade — headline the impressive group which also includes Blue Devil Carlos Boozer.

“This is another important step in the reassembling of the USA National Team for the next three years of competitions that will include the FIBA World Championship in 2010, and if we qualify, the 2012 Olympics in London.  Unlike 2006-08 when we were first starting the program, this time we have the benefit of including players who were members of the last national team, while also incorporating players who were involved in our pipeline the last couple of summers,” said USA Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo.

Coach K will have another accomplished group to work with and a number of younger players on board as well to continue the USA Basketball pipeline established during the last term from 2005-2008.  The team will first get together this July to begin preparation for August’s World Championship in Turkey.

How about a lineup of Dwight Howard/Kevin Durant/LeBron James/Kobe Bryant/Chris Paul?  Or maybe Chris Bosh/Carlos Boozer/Carmelo Anthony/Dwyane Wade/Deron Williams?  There are endless possibilities for one of the most talented groups of players ever assembled.

Coach K’s Comments

I echo Jerry’s words of excitement about the level of talent and commitment that we have in the pool.  I think we have taken a step up from the pool that we had in the last quad, and it’s exciting to see this many people interested in being a part of the program.  A couple things that Jerry did during the last quad was to have a Select Team at the beginning of this quad to have a camp last summer for about 20 younger NBA players and each was well attended and I think we are seeing the benefits of not just having a World Championship Team or an Olympic Team, but also these other teams that give everybody a chance to be a part of USA Basketball.

Can you talk about getting the word out to the players about the importance of the World Championships?

Well, we believe it is extremely important.  The world looks at it as the world championship.  We were kidding about it during the Olympics and saying they should call it the World Cup for Basketball, and it would get even more significance.  There are actually 24 teams involved in the World Championship where there are only 12 involved for the Olympics.  We are trying to make that commitment through USA Basketball, and the players are showing that commitment by being part of the pool.  I think by us showing that commitment, we will give it greater recognition and hopefully have success in it in Turkey this summer.

How did the performance at the mini-camp last year play into this decision, and did you consider rookies for this roster?

Well, really one of the rookies was hurt.  Blake Griffin we felt would have brought the athleticism and toughness that we would be looking for.  This pool is what is announced right now.  During the next couple of years, just like we did in the last quadrant, people can be added to the pool.

There is a lot of talk about who is in and who is out.  Are you anxious?  Or are you willing to wait until July for players to say definitively what they are going to do?

This is the first step is naming the pool, announcing the pool, and then we see what happens with all the guys with family situations, with injuries, contracts and all that.  Over the three years, a little bit over three years, that I was associated with (the USA National Team) before, I learned not to, like what Jerry said, put the cart ahead of the horse because there is just a lot of human things that go on.  We have to allow those things to go on and then react accordingly, but having a strong pool gives us some flexibility in that regard.

What were you looking for in the new players?

We are looking at every area.  We had nine of the 12 Olympians come back on this roster, which I think is an incredible amount, and you want to make sure you are looking at each position.  That is why like a Kendrick Perkins, he’d be a great defensive player for a big . To have Lamar Odom, Amar’e Stoudemire, Lopez, these guys in the big’s position.  Not having Michael Redd back, to make sure that we do have shooters to compliment that guys we already have.  Durant is an outstanding shooter; Granger — an outstanding shooter.  To get backups at the point guard position.  I think what we’ve done is the pool is much better organized, and the pool is better than the one we had in the last quadrant and the interest level is higher.  And so we feel like we are moving in the right direction and those were the things we were looking for.

Coach K was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001, was a founding member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame and will be inducted into the West Point Sports Hall of Fame on September 11th.  On August 12th, he was on hand for another HOF induction when the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame included the 1992 Dream Team in its 2009 Hall of Fame Class.  Former Blue Devil Christian Laettner and the rest of the members of the greatest hoops team of all-time joined Coach K, who served as an assistant coach for the 92 Dream Team.

Said the U.S. National Head Coach about the induction, “There’s not a more deserving team to be named to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame than the 1992 Dream Team.  The Dream Team’s impact on basketball worldwide may be more significant than anything else in the history of the sport.  The experience I had as an assistant under Chuck Daly and working with the several of the greatest players in the history of the game was amazing.  Every day was a learning experience.  As talented as those players were, their collective skills were only part of the story.  They were the ultimate ambassadors of the game and were completely deserving of all of the tremendous recognition and support they received.”

Here are some examples from YouTube of those collective skills Coach K refers to…

The eyes of 20 of the NBA’s brightest stars were focused on Coach K last week in Las Vegas as he welcomed the group to the USA Basketball Mini Camp and the opportunity to wear the USA jersey.  During the meeting, the players were shown video of the 2008 Olympic team’s run and Coach K talked about what the USA staff is looking for as it evaluates for the 2010 World Championship Team.

“The fact that all these guys are here, shows that guys are anxious to play for their country,” said Coach K.  “We need to keep developing the program where we give them opportunities, and we build on that feeling.”

Given that many of the 2008 Olympians will return in 2010, USA players are competing for only a few open spots for next summer.  “Whatever it takes, like I’m trying to get a job,” said OJ Mayo.  “Dive on the floor, wipe the sweat up, whatever I have to do to be a part of Team USA, I’m definitely open.  It’s a great opportunity to play for USA and have USA across your chest.  Hopefully we can motivate kids to keep the tradition up.”

The USA Basketball National Team brain trust has worked hard to build a family atmosphere that extends across the whole program.  Even if a player doesn’t make a particular team, he is the USA pipeline building equity in USA Basketball and building relationships with future teammates and coaches.

“When we figure out who we will eventually have we will have now gotten to know them, not just as pro players but as U.S. players and you get to meet them, you have relationships,” said Coach K.  “To start relationships with these guys, whether they play in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 in Chicago, it’s a good thing.”

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo officially announced on Tuesday that Coach K and the entire 2006-08 USA coaching staff will continue to lead the National Team from 2009-2012.  The 2010 World Championships in Turkey and the 2012 Olympics in London will highlight the second term for the group.

“Mike and the staff did an incredible job and he is more than entitled to have another run at it,” said Colangelo.   “I’ve said it over and over, he was the right guy at the right time and that is still true.”

Coach K noted at the official press conference that he is excited about the chance to continue what was built over the first term.  “The gold medal you can put away,” said Coach K.  “You don’t put away your relationship with your country, and you don’t put away your relationship with the world.  Those are ongoing and will never stop.”

By winning the gold, earning the world’s respect, and coming together as a family, Coach K and Colangelo both stated that the National Team set a great precedent for all USA Basketball teams.  “Everybody is in this together,” said Coach K.  “There isn’t a top and a bottom.  Every team is important… The gold medal and respect are the goals for any USA Basketball competition.”

The worldwide exposure and success of the 2008 Olympic champs has created a buzz about USA Basketball, and the goal is to make the USA jersey the most fashionable in this country at all levels while having an even greater impact at the grassroots level.   Colangelo suggested that it was no coincidence that the USA U19 team, the U16 team, and the World University Games team combined for a 20-1 record this summer and two gold medals.  Continuity and success at “the varsity level” of USA Basketball, as Coach K termed it, will continue to be important as the National Team looks to do an even better job this time around having four years of experience in the books.

“We’ve all taken ownership, we’ve loved being together and most of all, we’ve loved representing our country,” said Coach K.  “What a great statement for continuity that our coaching staff will remain in place until 2012.”

With the USA Basketball program placing a big emphasis on continuity going forward, the National Team will likely look to keep much of its roster intact for the 2010 World Championships.  Fortunately, it sounds like the 2008 Olympic team members are excited about the future of USA Basketball.

“This is the best possible news for USA Basketball,” said Utah Jazz star Williams.  “Coach K is king.”

Other reactions about Coach K’s return from 2008 Olympians courtesy USABasketball.com…

“Coach K has made such a big impact on my life and the 2008 Olympics was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. I’m happy to see him and the assistant coaches come back to coach the USA National Team.”  Carmelo Anthony

“The right staff is being put in place to help the USA National team defend its gold medal. It was a great experience and an honor to have played for them.”  Chris Bosh

“Coach K, and the assistant coaches were a perfect fit for the USA Senior National Team in 2006-2008 and I’m confident they’ll again be a great fit for 2010-2012. We worked together for three summers and we all developed a great respect and chemistry that was very important in the successes we achieved.”  LeBron James

“I am very excited for the future of USA Basketball after hearing the great news that Coach K and his staff will be back. They provided an excellent atmosphere for the players to thrive, and win, under. Their combined basketball knowledge are second to none and they have a great way of communicating and motivating players. The future is very bright for USA Basketball.”  Jason Kidd

“I am excited about Coach K returning as the coach. We had great chemistry as a unit and worked well with the entire coaching staff. I am looking forward to having another great experience with everyone.”  Chris Paul

I think it’s great that Coach K and the entire coaching staff have decided to return and help the USA win another Olympic gold medal. I had a wonderful experience playing for Coach K and his staff. Winning the gold medal in China last summer was one of the highlights of my career. I believe his return will make many players want to join the Senior National Team and represent our country.”  Dwyane Wade