The FIBA World Cup tips off in Spain on August 30, and USA Basketball has selected a 19-man roster for its training camp that will take place in Las Vegas later this month. The roster is filled with current and former NBA All-Stars, including a pair of MVPs in Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, who is making his second comeback from knee injuries that have kept him out of live competition for the better part of two seasons.
Along with Durant the roster will feature three other players who played for the USA in the 2012 London Olympics, namely Kevin Love, James Harden, and Anthony Davis.
Here is the entire list of players by position:
Guards: Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Korver, Gordon Hayward
Forwards: Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Anthony Davis, Chandler Parsons, Paul George, Blake Griffin, Kenneth Faried
Centers: Andre Drummond, DeMarcus Cousins
USA Basketball is looking to continue its recent dominance of FIBA competition, having won the the gold medal in both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics as well as the FIBA crown in 2010. In all, USA Basketball has compiled a 62-1 record since former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo took over full control of the program in 2005.
“First off, I’m very pleased about the 19 players who are now confirmed to participate in the 2014 USA National Team training camp in Las Vegas,” Colangelo said on Monday. “This group possesses outstanding individual talents, while also boasting of excellent versatility and varying amounts of USA Basketball experience.”
The team will be coached by Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Serving as assistants to Coach K will be Jim Boeheim, Tom Thibodeau, and Monty Williams.
“Looking at the roster of players who will be participating in the training camp I’m impressed by the success they had this past season and by what they have achieved in their careers,” Krzyzewski said on Monday “It’s valuable to have some veteran leadership who has won gold at the highest levels internationally. The list also includes some of the most exciting young players who could definitely contribute to this team. Myself and the entire coaching staff are excited to get things underway and as we’ve done each summer our team will strive to represent the United States with respect and a commitment to excellence that hopefully will make every American proud.”
Notable absences from the roster include LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul, all of whom were on the 2012 Gold Medal Olympic team. Other snubs include breakout San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers. Last week, Russell Westbrook withdrew from consideration as he is still recovering from knee injuries sustained over the last year.
The 19-man group will be trimmed to 12 in time for the USA Basketball Showcase on August 1. The final roster will then play a series of exhibition games throughout August before heading to Spain for the FIBA World Cup. The team will open up against Finland on August 30 in Bilbao, Spain.