Three Warriors — Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes — made the 12-man U.S. Olympic basketball team that was announced Monday.
The roster features two members from the 2012 gold medalist Olympic Team (Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant) and five players who have been members of World Cup gold medalist teams: DeMarcus Cousins (2014), DeMar DeRozan (2014), Durant (2010), Kyrie Irving (2014) and Thompson (2014). Anthony becomes the first U.S. player selected to four Olympic teams.
The rest of the team consists of Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers) and Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors).
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“I think I can speak for the entire coaching staff and say we’re extremely excited about the team we will field for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,” managing director Jerry Colangelo said. “I love our depth, which is another indication of the depth of talent our national team program is blessed with. We’ve got a great mix of talent, scorers, past gold medal winners and outstanding youth.”
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has tied legendary Henry Iba with his third Olympic head coaching assignments, said, “Looking at this team, our overall balance is what strikes me. We have lightning-quick guards who can score as well as distribute the basketball. We have great shooters and explosive scorers, we’re big and athletic, and I think we’ll really be able to defend.”
He will be assisted by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams.
The team will train July 18-21 in Las Vegas. The Americans play Argentina July 22 at the T-Mobile Arena. They will play China July 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and again July 26 at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Then come exhibition games against Venezuela July 29 in Chicago and Nigeria Aug. 1in Houston.
