USA - Four cut from United States squad
COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA World Championship) - Tyreke Evans, Gerald Wallace, O.J. Mayo and JaVale McGee were the four unlucky players as Team USA cut their FIBA World Championship squad down to 15. The moves were made following last week's training camp in Las Vegas as the team prepares to head on to New York for a second camp and a series of warm-up ...
COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA World Championship) - Tyreke Evans, Gerald Wallace, O.J. Mayo and JaVale McGee were the four unlucky players as Team USA cut their FIBA World Championship squad down to 15.
The moves were made following last week's training camp in Las Vegas as the team prepares to head on to New York for a second camp and a series of warm-up games.
“We had an outstanding week of training camp in Las Vegas and it is apparent we have a group of guys that are very focused, committed, and desirous of playing for USA Basketball," said USA Basketball president Jerry Colangelo.
"The identity of the team is still evolving, but it is pretty obvious we’re going to be very athletic; we’re going to be very strong in the back court; we think our shooting ability is underestimated, we think we’ve got a number of people who can shoot the ball; and so we’re pleased with our progress to date."
It will be a new-look United States team that competes in Turkey, with the players who won gold at the Olympics two years ago unable to play. But that excites coach Mike Krzyzewski as he gets to carve out a new identity for his team.
“We’re really pleased with the week we had in Vegas," he said. "There’s such a great spirit to be on the team and to bring these 15 players to New York, they’ve all earned the opportunity to be there.
"We have an unconventional team that we’re forming, but it’s still one that is built with great spirit, athleticism and a little bit more guard oriented than most US teams have been.
“I like their attitude. They all want to be on the USA team. They want to learn and they’re willing to sacrifice for what’s best for the whole. There’s a great, great spirit of cooperation, an unbelievable spirit of cooperation,”
The New York training camp will begin on August 10, with a game against France scheduled for August 15.
The team will then head to Madrid to play Lithuania and Spain before facing Greece in Athens.
The United States have been drawn in Group B at the FIBA World Championship, and will face Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Slovenia and Tunisia.
United States squad: Chauncey Billups, Tyson Chandler, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, Danny Granger, Jeff Green, Andre Iguodala, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook.
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