Get to Know Team USA

SI Staff | Aug 25, 2010

Get to Know Team USA /

Get to Know Team USA

Kevin Durant

USA Basketball's roster for the FIBA World Championship is set. Led by Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski and USA Basketball boss Jerry Colangelo, the Americans are out to strike gold at the Worlds for the first time in 16 years. Here's a look at the 12 guys representing the U.S. Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder's star forward, is the face of Team USA for this summer. Whether the 21-year-old can emerge as the team's vocal leader remains to be seen, but his play certainly isn't a concern: In recent exhibition games against Lithuania and Spain, he led the team in scoring in both and blocked two, last-minute shots in the latter for an 86-85 win.

Derrick Rose

After being selected first overall in the 2008 draft, Rose quickly climbed the ranks as a pro, earning the 2009 Rookie of the Year award and making his first All-Star team (he was the first Bulls guard to do so since Michael Jordan) in 2010. As a member of the White Team at the USA Basketball Showcase in New York earlier in August, he recorded 15 points and game highs of eight assists and five steals.

Andre Iguodala

Perhaps the most athletic player on the team, Iguodala is most known for his slashing and quick hands. He often struggles to create his own shot, but the versatile swingman can consistently contribute in a number of areas. In his six seasons in Philly, the 6-foot-6 swingman has never missed a game and has averaged 38.1 minutes per contest.

Chauncey Billups

The five-time NBA All-Star was a member of the 2007 USA FIBA Americas Championship team that finished 10-0 and won gold. In 2004, he was named the Finals MVP in the Pistons' win over the Lakers, and last season with the Nuggets, he averaged a career-high 19.6 points.

Danny Granger

The Indiana Pacer had a breakout season in 2008-09 as the league's Most Improved Player. Though he struggled with injuries last season, Granger notched a career-high 44 points against the Jazz and finished eighth in the league in scoring (24.1 points).

Eric Gordon

Though he was on the bubble for making the squad, Gordon's benefits to Team USA are clear: crisp outside shooting and tough D. Said Krzyzewski: "He's really had a terrific practice every single day, and every day he's produced, he's just been steady. And he's a guy that doesn't need the ball long. On our Olympic team, Carmelo Anthony didn't need the ball long, and that helps."

Kevin Love

After missing the first 16 games of last season with a broken hand , Love returned to make an instant impact for the Timberwolves and finish with an average of 14 points and 11 rebounds. He's one of the few players on an undersized Team USA accustomed to playing around the basket.

Lamar Odom

The two-time NBA champion won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Athens, but was unable to participate in the 2006 and 2007 FIBA tournaments because of personal reasons. Last season with the Lakers, Odom ranked sixth in the league in total rebounds, and given that the U.S. boasts a small frontcourt, it will rely heavily on Odom's strength down low.

Rudy Gay

Gay signed a five-year, $82 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies this summer after helping them to a 16-game improvement over 2008-09. He started 80 games and averaged 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

Russell Westbrook

After leading UCLA to the Final Foul and playing with the U.S. Select Team in 2008, Westbrook was selected fourth overall in the draft by the Thunder. He finished his first pro season among the top four Rookie of the Year candidates and as a member of the All-Rookie first team. But it was his second year in the league that showed his maturation and improvement, and helped the upstart Thunder make their first trip to the playoffs.

Stephen Curry

The Golden State WArrior was a runner-up for Rookie of the Year this past season, having averaged 17.5 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 assists. Though he's not quite 100 percent (ankle injury), his sharpshooting will come in handy for Team USA.

Tyson Chandler

For a team sorely lacking in size, Chandler's 7-foot-1 frame and strength down low make him a prized commodity. As a member of the 2007 gold medal-winning FIBA Americas team, Chandler played in all 10 games and averaged 1.64 blocks. Last month, the big man was shipped to the Dallas Mavericks, his fourth team in eight seasons in the NBA.

Published Aug 25, 2010

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