Diapositiva 1
U.S.A completes its roster for the 2004 Olympic Games
The appointment of these five players ended the election of 12
members to represent the U.S. in the Olympics to be held in Greece
between 13 and 29 August. The call was made by the national
selection committee from USA Basketball.
Also this organization confirmed that the five members appointed
previously declined to participate in this call for injury or
personal reasons. In this group were Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings),
Jason Kidd (Houston Rockets), Karl Malone (Los Angeles Lakers),
Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets), Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana Pacers).
The national team will begin training camp July 26 at the
University of North Florida in Jacksonville (Florida) and will be a
preparatory period of 18 days commencing in the city (July 26-31)
and visit Cologne , Germany (August 1-4) Belgrade, Serbia and
Montenegro (August 5-6) and Istanbul, Turkey (August 7-12). Before
the fair Olympic national team will play six exhibition games.
"These five players are the future of the team," said Larry
Brown, coach of the Detroit Pistons and the national team. "I am
sad that many players helped us to classify the Olympic tournament
in Puerto Rico and now have the opportunity to fight for a gold
medal. These five additions are based on the great performance that
have had throughout the season and have earned the right to make
part of this team. Last summer, the team played as a team and I am
very confident that this new group will work to keep us on the
right track. " "USA Basketball appreciates the enthusiasm these
five players returned to the team and hopefully continue the legacy
that the U.S. has built in the Olympics men's basketball," said Tom
Jernstedt, president of USA Basketball. "Like the players who have
represented the country in previous Olympic competitions, this
group of 12 players and four coaches will be part of the
extraordinary tradition of basketball teams in the Olympics."
"This team has the potential to be one of the most exciting and
versatile that USA Basketball has conformed to the Olympics," said
Stu Jackson, member of the National Teams. "The youth, skill and
condition of our team will give us the opportunity to perform well
in the Olympics and hope to return home with the gold medal," the
manager. The five players named today join the group of seven
members previously selected for the national team: Tim Duncan (San
Antonio Spurs), Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers), LeBron James
(Cleveland Cavaliers), Richard Jefferson (New Jersey Nets), Stephon
Marbury (New York Knicks), Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire
(Phoenix Suns). The team will be led by Larry Brown (Detroit
Pistons) and will feature Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) as an
assistant coach. As a team, this team has an average age of 23.6
years is the youngest who will be in the Olympics, in the last four
teams that have just made up of NBA players.
BASKETBALL
