USA – D’Antoni may lead USA if Coach K decides to call it a day

NEW YORK (2010 FIBA World Championship) - New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni is a leading contender to coach the United States next year at the 2010 FIBA World Championship if Mike Krzyzewski decides to call it a day.

D'Antoni has been an assistant to Krzyzewski the past three years, a run that culminated with a gold-medal win for the United States at the Beijing Olympics.

"I'm tied to Coach K and will wait to see what he decides to do," he said to the New York Post.

"I'll probably serve in any position they ask me to do. It was a great experience. Whatever they decide, I'll fall right in line."

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, according to the Post, confirmed to them during the NBA All-Star break in Phoenix that D'Antoni would be a leading candidate for the United States job if Coach K decides not to continue.

Krzyzewski was at a book signing for his recently published Olympic memoir "The Gold Standard" that he co-authored with his daughter, and the Duke University coach was asked about his future with Team USA.

"I've been on a three-year fast break," Krzyzewski said.

"I'll be a part of it. It's a matter of figuring out what that role would be. I haven't had time to discuss it with my family or with Duke. What I want to be is involved."

The United States clinched a spot at the 2010 FIBA World Championship by virtue of their gold-medal win in China.

FIBA