Team USA Basketball will try to take home its third consecutive gold medal when they head to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who's coaching his last Olympics, had some tough choices to make narrowing down a talented pool of players to just 12. In the end, injuries and withdrawals made their life easier, though it affected the team's quality.
Once the 12-man team is selected, the squad held training camp in mid-July before taking part in exhibitions across the United States. The Olympics are set to begin on Aug. 6.
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| Who's in and who's out for Team USA Basketball's 2016 Olympics roster? |
Team USA's roster
Carmelo Anthony: Melo has had a lot of success in international play and will look for another gold. This will be his fourth Olympics.
Kevin Durant: The leading scorer on the 2012 squad at 19.5 points per game will be back to lead Team USA.
DeMarcus Cousins: Cousins, warts and all, is an excellent option at center and has experience with the team after playing in the World Cup.
Draymond Green: Green may have made it anyway, but he benefits from the Davis injury. His versatility should be great in international play.
Kyle Lowry: Lowry took advantage of the fact that a lot of top point guards declined the invitation and will make his debut with Team USA in Rio.
Paul George: George could have chosen to skip the proceedings following his gruesome leg injury in a Team USA scrimmage in 2014 but he decided to return to play the Olympics.
Jimmy Butler: Butler struggled with injuries late in the season but is healthy now and should give the team defense and shooting from the wing.
DeAndre Jordan: A surprise addition, according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Jeff Goodman, but a useful one after a strong season and Andre Drummond's withdrawal.
DeMar DeRozan: He's enjoyed a huge season in Toronto and was a bench player on the 2014 World Cup team. As a reward he received and invite which he's accepted, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.
Klay Thompson: Thompson's shooting and defense are invaluable, and he was a top performer at the World Cup. He has accepted an invitation to play in Rio.
Kyrie Irving: He took a while to weigh his decision after a long Finals trip, but eventually elected to sign up.
Harrison Barnes: Long seen as a last-ditch option, Barnes earned a spot on the team after several others declined the chance.
Withdrew
Anthony Davis: Underwent knee surgery, so he won't play this summer.
Chris Paul: Paul told Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins that he's taking the summer off to rest his body.
Kobe Bryant: There was chatter that Kobe may get a spot on the team in hopes of riding off into the sunset with a gold medal, but he squashed that and isn't even in the player pool.
Damian Lillard: Lillard was upset about not making the World Cup team and initially wasn't part of the player pool for these Olympics, but he was added late when he performed too well to be ignored. He decided not to participate in order to recover from plantar fasciitis.
Russell Westbrook: Westbrook decided to withdraw his name from consideration.
James Harden: After leading the NBA in minutes played, Harden decided to rest.
Stephen Curry: Curry suffered a knee injury in the playoffs and will take time off in the offseason to rest and heal.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge is recovering from a hand injury, so he won't be available.
John Wall: Wall will be recovering from knee surgery this summer.
Blake Griffin: Griffin suffered a quad injury in the series against the Trail Blazers so he won't be available.
Andre Drummond: His absence reportedly cleared the way for Jordan to make the team.
Kawhi Leonard: Leonard has never played for Team USA and could have likely gotten a spot this year, but decided to withdraw his name from consideration.
LeBron James: James' agent announced on June 23 the Finals MVP would sit out the Olympics to rest.
Gordon Hayward: Hayward announced on June 23 he had withdrawn his name from consideration on account of his wife's pregnancy.
Bradley Beal: Beal rejected a chance to join the team because of his free agency and injury situation.
Kevin Love: An Olympic veteran from 2012, Love was asked to participate, but declined so he could rest after a long playoff run.
Anthony Davis: Underwent knee surgery, so he won't play this summer.
Chris Paul: Paul told Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins that he's taking the summer off to rest his body.
Kobe Bryant: There was chatter that Kobe may get a spot on the team in hopes of riding off into the sunset with a gold medal, but he squashed that and isn't even in the player pool.
Damian Lillard: Lillard was upset about not making the World Cup team and initially wasn't part of the player pool for these Olympics, but he was added late when he performed too well to be ignored. He decided not to participate in order to recover from plantar fasciitis.
Russell Westbrook: Westbrook decided to withdraw his name from consideration.
James Harden: After leading the NBA in minutes played, Harden decided to rest.
Stephen Curry: Curry suffered a knee injury in the playoffs and will take time off in the offseason to rest and heal.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge is recovering from a hand injury, so he won't be available.
John Wall: Wall will be recovering from knee surgery this summer.
Blake Griffin: Griffin suffered a quad injury in the series against the Trail Blazers so he won't be available.
Andre Drummond: His absence reportedly cleared the way for Jordan to make the team.
Kawhi Leonard: Leonard has never played for Team USA and could have likely gotten a spot this year, but decided to withdraw his name from consideration.
LeBron James: James' agent announced on June 23 the Finals MVP would sit out the Olympics to rest.
Gordon Hayward: Hayward announced on June 23 he had withdrawn his name from consideration on account of his wife's pregnancy.
Bradley Beal: Beal rejected a chance to join the team because of his free agency and injury situation.
Kevin Love: An Olympic veteran from 2012, Love was asked to participate, but declined so he could rest after a long playoff run.
Wasn't selected
Andre Iguodala: Another 2012 Olympic vet who won't make it, as his role has decreased over the last four years.
Mike Conley: He's also hurting. Plus, he just signed a big contract.
Kenneth Faried: Faried was a monster at the World Cup, but it was always to see him making the roster with other bigs ahead of him.
Rudy Gay: Gay was another member of the 2014 team, but like Faried, he had no chance.
Dwight Howard: Howard is on the decline and there were younger, better options at center.
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