US names NBA lineup for world championships

The Americans who compete for a world title in Turkey starting August 28 will feature none of the talent that reclaimed an Olympic gold medal for the U.S.A in Beijing in 2008 but should still be a formidable force.

Boston backcourt star Rondo and Detroit playmaker Billups were joined by Durant and teammates Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green from Oklahoma City, Lamar Odom of the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana's Danny Granger, Golden State's Stephen Curry, Minnesota's Kevin Love and Chicago's Derrick Rose.

Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay of Memphis, Tyson Chandler of Dallas, Brook Lopez of New Jersey and Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers were also among the group that will fill out the final 12-man world team roster.

The announcement came after four days of training in Las Vegas and ahead of a series of tuneup games for the U.S. squad ahead of the worlds. Final lineups do not have to be submitted until the eve of the tournament.

Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski returns to guide the U.S. national team, which will reassemble August 9 in New York ahead of a week of training.

“We have an unconventional team that we're forming, but it's still one that is built with great spirit, athleticism and a little bit more guard oriented than most U.S. teams have been,” Krzyzewski said.

“I like their attitude. They want to learn and they're willing to sacrifice for what's best for the whole. There's a great, great spirit of cooperation.” The U.S. team will participate in the inaugural World Basketball Festival in New York, which includes practice sessions at Rucker Park's famed outdoor courts in Harlem and Radio City Music Hall plus an August 15 game against France at Madison Square Garden, which also hosts a China-Puerto Rico matchup.

The Americans will also play three exhibition games in Europe ahead of the World Championships, facing Lithuania on August 21 and Spain on August 22 in Madrid and Greece in Athens on August 25.

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