Future Olympic Basketball All-Stars

SI Staff | Jul 9, 2012

Future Olympic Basketball All-Stars /

Future Olympic Basketball All-Stars

Tyson Chandler

Injuries have taken their toll on Team USA. While the ailments might hurt the U.S.' quest for a second straight Olympic gold, they've given several first-time Olympians an opportunity to shine on the world's largest stage. Here are four that SI.com believes are destined for Olympic stardom. *** At 7-foot-1, Chandler will bring much-needed size to Team USA's frontcourt. With players such as Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Andrew Bynum sidelined, the U.S. will need every inch they can get to battle the likes of Spain, Brazil and Argentina down low. Chandler played for Team USA during the 2007 FIBA Americas championship and the 2010 FIBA world championships, averaging 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in limited minutes.

Tyson Chandler

Chandler has averaged only 8.6 points per game during his 11-year NBA career, but it's his defensive prowess that will earn him a spot on Team USA. The 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler possesses a rare blend of length and athleticism that forces opposing players away from the basket.

Kevin Durant

Though he has yet to a play a minute for Team USA, Durant is a virtual lock for the starting lineup in London. The three-time NBA scoring champ is a threat from everywhere on the court, and his silky jumper will help space the floor, a must in international competition.

Kevin Durant

Durant made his first Team USA appearance at the 2010 FIBA world championships, leading the team in scoring (22.8 per game) as they marched to their first world championship gold since 1994. "Our only option was to come out here and get a gold, and it feels really good to bring this back home to the States," Durant said. He'll no doubt fell the same entering London.

Blake Griffin

Clippers forward Blake Griffin is the only player on the Team USA roster without any Olympic or FIBA world championship experience. It's not for lack of talent. After a highlight-filled college career, Griffin was taken No. 1 overall in the NBA draft, but knee surgery in January 2010 cost him the entire season and any shot at the world championship roster.

Blake Griffin

He's known primarily for his rim-rattling dunks, but Griffin possesses an all-around game that should serve him well on the international stage. He can initiate the offense from the post, and last year he showed a much-improved back-to-the-basket game. With teammate Chris Paul also poised to head to London, the dunks don't hurt either.

Kevin Love

Love's game couldn't be a better fit for international competition. The Minnesota Timberwolves forward, always known for his ability to clean the boards, added a three-point shot to his game last year, giving Team USA another threat from behind the arc. With spacing crucial on the international stage, expect Love to receive a heavy share of minutes.

Kevin Love

Love played for Team USA at the 2010 FIBA world championships, averaging 5.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in limited minutes off the bench. But with a bevy of U.S. big men sidelined, Love should have a larger role on the 2012 Olympic squad.

Published Jul 9, 2012

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