SAN ANTONIO (2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The United States will have Gregg Popovich as their national team coach following the 2016 Olympics.

One of the NBA's most successful and respected figures as the San Antonio Spurs boss, Popovich is to succeed Mike Krzyzewski at the helm.

His first big challenge will be to guide the USA at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

The USA have been on a roll, winning the last two Olympic gold medals and also finishing top of the podium at the last two FIBA Basketball World Cups.

Since the team's 101-95 defeat to Greece in the Semi-Finals of the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup, no team has beaten them.

A real threat to their hegemony did not materialize at the World Cup in Spain last year.

The USA went unbeaten and qualified for the Olympics.

"I look forward to maintaining and honoring the standards that have been set by Jerry Colangelo, Mike Krzyzewski and all the players who have sacrificed over that decade," Popovich said.

"Dozens of players have decided to be a part of that culture and I take that responsibility very seriously and look forward to doing whatever I can to maintain it and keep it going."

"There really wasn't a list of people to talk with," said Colangelo, the USA Basketball chairman and managing director of the men's national team.

"He was the man that I wanted to take over when Coach K finishes his tenure in Rio at the Olympics in 2016 and after having met with him this summer and given him time to think it through, that he was really willing to accept that opportunity, I could not have been more pleased.

"He represents everything that USA Basketball is all about."

Popovich has led the Spurs to five NBA titles since taking over in 1996. He is the longest tenured coach in the league.

The 66-year-old has prior experience with the men's national team, including 11 years ago when he worked as an assistant to then head coach Larry Brown at the 2004 Olympics.

The idea of serving as head coach was something Popovich had thought about but on Friday, he admitted: "I think I pretty much thought that ship had sailed."

Colangelo says Popovich is the ideal national team coach.

"He gets it," he said.

"He's a guy who understands the international game. He wears his feelings about his country on his sleeve.

"He put in his time in the military. He's a winner. He has great character.

"Everything about him made him the logical character to take over USA basketball in terms of coaching. I think USA Basketball is in great shape as we look to the future."

Popovich said he would not have accepted the opportunity to coach the national team had Colangelo not decided to remain involved as the managing director through 2020.

He says Colangelo has done a marvelous job in reshaping the program.

"I think the first thing that one notices are the structural changes," Popovich said.

"Since Jerry came, the infrastructure have been put in to place which allows for selection, development, over a long period of time and that corporate knowledge creates a culture that never really was there.

"At this point, after instituting that for a decade or more, it's got momentum.

"That's the main thing, having someone in charge that is autonomous who can make those decisions and set up that structure.

"The players have realized that it's a good way for them to develop for their NBA jobs and doing something that's wonderful for their country, something they're proud of, something their families are proud of and something they will always remember."

FIBA