With the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro almost upon us, the U.S. men's national basketball team had their training camps today in in Las Vegas, Nev.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski led Team USA to its first practice and scrimmage games earlier today. The team is down to their final 12-man roster and now looking to gear up for the start of the exhibition games on July 22 and conclude on Aug. 1, with the official games set to commence on Aug.6 to Aug. 21.

Who Made the Final Cuts?

The final 12-man roster of Team USA consists of: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks), Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors), and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors).

This year's squad is filled with Team USA veterans such as Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Paul George who can lead their team over powerhouse countries like Argentina, China, France and Spain.

Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant look to lead Team USA at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Photo: Getty Images
Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant look to lead Team USA at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Photo: Getty Images

The question that has yet to be answered is how will Team USA gel together. DeRozan and Lowry from the Raptors are the only duos from the same team and Green, Durant and Thompson from the Warriors are the only trios from the same team. With that in mind, the team chemistry is given a boost but with only the first day in the books, the team should be fine by the start of the exhibition games on July 22 and the official start of the Rio 2016 games on Aug. 6.

Where are the League's Top Superstars?

With regards of the Zika virus outbreak in Rio Janeiro, Brazil and major parts of South America, this year's Olympic Games have been a mess regarding players withdrawing their names from the Summer Games. Players felt concerned over contracting the virus and decided not to attend the games over the safety of their health.

Many of the top players withdrawing from the Rio Olympics because of the Zika virus include Warriors' two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry, Clippers' Chris Paul, Thunder's Russell Westbrook, Pelicans' Anthony Davis, Rockets' James Harden, and Trailblazers' Damian Lillard.

Golden State Warriors' two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry decided to not play in this year's Olympics due to the Zika virus and to rest up during the summer. Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Golden State Warriors' two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry decided to not play in this year's Olympics due to the Zika virus and to rest up during the summer. Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Which Countries are in Play?

The tournament consists of the following 12 countries, divided into two groups.

Group AAustralia, China, France, Serbia, United States and Venezuela

Group B: Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Lithuania, Nigeria and Spain.

2015 FIBA Americas champion Venezuela. Photo: Fiba.com
Venezuela celebrates after winning the 2015 FIBA Americas championship over Argentina. Photo: Fiba.com

All 12 countries quest is to capture that gold medal starts on Aug. 6.

The next couple of weeks remains crucial for the Americans if the want to stay the dominant country when it comes to basketball as the U.S. will be looking to win their third straight gold medal and sixth in the last seven Olympics.

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About the author
Sully Akbari
Sully is a journalist who covers the NBA and is the Lead NBA Editor for VAVEL USA. He graduated from the journalism program at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sully resides in Toronto but is loyal fan of all-things Houston. His mantra is: Heart with Houston, Soul with Toronto. You can reach him through email at [email protected] or Twitter: @Sully_i3