USA - Team USA Closing in on Adding Rondo, Prince, Green, Curry, Evans

From nba.fanhouse.com
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Possible defections are getting all the attention in the media these days. But USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo (above right with Team USA in Beijing in 2008) actually is thinking more about additions.

In an interview Monday with FanHouse, Colangelo did not express great concern that Denver star Carmelo Anthony might skip this summer's World Championships due to getting married. Colangelo said Team USA has a deep roster, and it is soon to expand by as many as five.

Colangelo said Boston guard Rajon Rondo and Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince have formally been invited to be on the roster, of which players will be selected for the Worlds and the 2012 Summer Olympics, and USA Basketball is anticipating their acceptance. And Colangelo said he's closing in on inviting Oklahoma City forward Jeff Green, Golden State guard Stephen Curry and Sacramento guard Tyreke Evans to be on the roster.

USA Basketball had indicated in February there would be the additions of Rondo and Prince. There were communication problems resulting in both of them not being selected that month to the initial 27-man roster, with Prince telling FanHouse he wouldn't be able to play in Turkey regardless due to injuries.

"I don't know if Tayshaun will feel he will be able to be with us this summer due to his health,'' Colangelo said of the player who was on the 2008 Olympic team. "But he will remain on the roster (for consideration for 2012 Olympics and 2011 Olympic qualifying tournament, if Team USA must attend).''

As for possible defections, Cleveland forward LeBron James already has said he "probably'' won't play in Turkey and Miami guard Dwayne Wade is on the fence. Anthony told FanHouse on Monday he might not play due to getting married July 10 in New York to MTV personality La La Vazquez. Colangelo would certainly consider that an acceptable excuse.

"We had a player before, Michael Redd (in 2006), who wasn't able to play with us because he is getting married,'' Colangelo said. "If there's a wedding, you don't ask somebody to postpone it. That's a milestone event.''

Colangelo said he had heard from USA Basketball men's national team director Sean Ford about Anthony's marriage date, but hasn't talked to Anthony about his availability and doesn't plan to for a while.

"It's much too early,'' said Colangelo, whose team won't get together until a training camp July 22-25 in Las Vegas. "There's no reason to talk about it until after the season. That's why we have a deep roster because we know there's going to be circumstances that come up with players' personal situations.''

Anthony said he also wants to talk with Colangelo about the situation. While Colangelo is based in Phoenix, he won't be at Tuesday's Suns home game against Denver.

"She's probably going to say it's up to me,'' Anthony told Fanhouse after Monday's 123-101 win over Memphis when asked what Vazquez might want him to do. "I'll talk to Jerry after the season. I'm probably 50-50 (on playing).''

If Anthony skips the Worlds, which run Aug. 28-Sept. 12, that wouldn't affect his status for the 2012 Olympics. Anthony said he definitely wants to play in London.

"I put a lot of stock in equity,'' Colangelo said. "Players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, they've been with the program since the 2004 Olympics. That's equity.''

James and Wade both are wavering in part due to being free agents this summer while James also will be making a movie. Colangelo insists he wouldn't be alarmed if several of the team's top holdovers from the 2008 Olympics aren't in Turkey.

"We have a lot of talented players,'' said Colangelo, who shrugged off the suggestion some players might skip the World Championships due to it not being as glamorous as the Olympics. "I think we've been able to change the culture [of USA Basketball]. There are a lot of players who want to play.''

And five of those desiring players are in line to be added to the roster.