USA to name the lineup for 2012 Olympics Basketball team by 18th January
The London Olympics are just around the corner and USA Basketball chairman, Jerry Colangelo has revealed the timeline to select the US Basketball for the mega event.
According to him, a pool consisting of top 18 players will be announced within two weeks time and once it is finalized, the list will be sent to the Olympic Committee this month, so that the committee can start working on the drug
test program of the players.
US, the home of basketball, fittingly won the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics and the team for next year Olympics will be a blend of players from the 2008’s team and the new talent that has emerged in the last two-three years.
"We have so much talent right now, the pool is extraordinary," Colangelo said.
Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony are amongst the few players that are expected to be the part of this 18 men pool.
Although the pool would be consisting primarily of the names mentioned above, there might be few additions as Jerry hinted that players whose team will advance to the playoffs and further, might be considered for the Olympics team
as well.
Another factor is the fitness of these players.
Most of the expected inclusions are in the twilight of their career and with a shortened season, it will be interesting to see which of them manage to stay fully fit until the end of season as Olympics would be starting soon after
the playoffs.
Players like Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Love, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant, that represented US in the World Championship that took place in Turkey in 2010 are also expected to be the part of the 18 men pool.
Both of them were outstanding in the tournament and Kevin Durant even won the Most Valuable Player accolade. Los Angeles Clippers sensation Blake Griffin, who is emerging as one of the best players in the NBA, has also a strong
chance of making the cut. Beside him, players like Andre Iguodala and Rudy g*y also in the loop for the team that will be coached by the legendary collegiate basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.
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