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Bryant, James headline U.S. Olympic team

Mon 23rd, June 2008

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, and Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James highlighted a group of 12 NBA players named to the U.S. Olympic basketball team on Monday.

The squad, which will be attempting to win a gold medal for the first time since 2000, also includes a trio of point guards -- veteran Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans' Chris Paul and Utah's Deron Williams.

Rounding out the backcourt are Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and sharpshooter Michael Redd of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The frontcourt features Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Utah's Carlos Boozer, Toronto's Chris Bosh and Detroit defensive specialist Tayshaun Prince at forward, while the lone center selected was Orlando Magic All-Star Dwight Howard.

USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and the team's head coach, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, unveiled the team.

"The 12 players selected have incredible talent, and more importantly, we think this team has excellent leadership, great versatility and balance, and very good chemistry, which are critical parts in building a great team," Colangelo said. "I believe this team is a team all Americans can and will be proud of."

The team, which will start preparing at a minicamp later this week, will have a training camp from July 20-25 in Las Vegas before playing an exhibition against Canada. They will then head overseas and open Olympic play on August 10.

"I'm excited about the players who comprise this team," Krzyzewski said. "Our team has excellent athleticism and great versatility. We have players who are experienced in the international game thanks to the last two summers' training and competitions. I feel really good where we are, we have the foundation in but we have a lot work ahead."

Of the 12 players selected, six were part of the 2006 USA Basketball Men's World Championship team, and eight were part of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship that qualified the U.S. for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Three players -- James, Anthony and Howard -- were members of both teams.

"The past two summers' experiences will definitely help our team," Krzyzewski added. "As we have learned, the international teams we will face in Beijing are also extremely talented and they play very well as a team. Our Senior National Team program has helped us achieve confidence, continuity and excellent chemistry, too. This summer's Olympics are going to be an unbelievable competition."

Bryant took home his first MVP award in 2007-08 and led the Lakers to the NBA Finals before they succumbed to the Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, James averaged 30.0 points per game last season, edging Bryant for the NBA's scoring title.

The unquestioned leader of the team, however, is expected to be the 35-year- old Kidd, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team that finished 8-0 and captured the gold in Sydney, Australia.

Kidd has played on eight USA Basketball teams and sports a perfect 44-0 record at senior level competitions.

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