AUS - Boomers to face USA in Shanghai surprise

SHANGHAI (Friendly Game) - The Australia Post Boomers will face the might of Team USA in Shanghai on August 5 in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics.

The USA team will be composed of superstars from the NBA and could include Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, while Australia will have its full complement of stars just days out from their opening pool game.

European champions Russia will also play a match against the United States in what will be known as the USA Basketball International Challenge in Shanghai.

The US will face 2007 Oceania champion Australia on August 5th (8 p.m. Shanghai local time) at the Qizhong Arena (13,708 capacity) in Shanghai, China.

"We're extremely happy to have secured a match against such high quality competition in the lead-up to the Olympic Games," Basketball Australia Chief Executive Scott Derwin said.

"It will form a vital last step on the road to Beijing and I'm positive that our players and staff will benefit from the experience.

"They beat us quite handily at the 2006 World Championship and we'll be doing everything we can to rectify that in Shanghai."

The managing director of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team program, Jerry Colangelo, was equally enthused about the late addition to the international schedule.

"The games versus Russia and Australia will without doubt be very challenging and feature a pair of opponents who are their zone's champions and very talented teams," he said.

"All of the teams involved are very competitive and respected international teams, so we know we will be challenged each time we take the court."

USA head coach and Duke University legend Mike Krzyzewski led the United States to a Bronze Medal at the 2006 World Championship and is looking to finish two places higher in Beijing.

"Our early arrival in China will afford us the opportunity to adjust to the time change and help us focus on our final training period. Needless to say, this training and these games will be critical to our success," Krzyzewski said.

The USA and Australia last faced each other at the 2006 World Championship in Japan when the USA posted a 113-73 win (8/27/06). The USA's last contest against the Aussies in an Olympic setting came in the 2004 Games, where the Americans emerged with an 89-79 victory on 19 August 2004.
The Australia Post Boomers are currently mid-way through a training camp at the AIS in Canberra that will conclude on Thursday.

The USA Basketball's Men's Senior National Team currently consists of 33 players: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Nick Collison (Seattle SuperSonics); Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Shawn Marion (Miami Heat); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats); Greg Oden (Portland Trail Blazers); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Luke Ridnour ( Seattle SuperSonics); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

The USA Senior National Team coaching staff is led by Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski, and also features assistant coaches Jim Boeheim from Syracuse University, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D'Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

Basketball Australia