Sixers' Iguodala makes Olympic team
It was announced tonight that Sixers forward Andre Iguodala will be a member of the 2012 USA Olympic team that will start competition in London later this month.
Sixers' Iguodala makes Olympic team
Bob Cooney
Though his name is usually related in this area with trade rumors, Andre Iguodala and Olympian can now be mentioned in the same sentence.
Saturday night in Las Vegas USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo announced the 12-man team and it included Iguodala.
"On behalf of the entire Philadelphia 76ers organization, I would like to congratulate Andre Iguodala on receiving the tremendous honor of being named to the United States Men's Basketball Team and representing our country during the upcoming Olympic Games,” said Managing Owner Joshua Harris. “We have no doubt he will be an incredible ambassador for our country, our city, our team and our fans while going for the gold in London. We wish him all the best."
Iguodala averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Sixers this past season while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor. He also made 76-of-193 three-pointers for a career-best 39.4 percent from three-point range.
"I would like to congratulate Andre on achieving his goal of making the United States Olympic team and want to wish him and the rest of the men's basketball team good luck in London." said President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn.
Sixers head coach Doug Collins said, "Congrats to Dre. Nobody could be more pleased than I am that he's starting to get the recognition for being a great player. Being an Olympian in 1972, I know what this means for him and I'm very proud."
In 2010 Iguodala was a starter for the 2010 USA World Championship Team which won the gold medal in Turkey.
"We projected we would have difficulty getting down to a roster of 12, regardless of the number of injurie that have taken place, because they are such an outstanding group of people and athletes," said Colangelo, whose team will be coached by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski. "The final selections keep us in concert with our game plan to have athleticism, versatility and strong depth on our roster. I think our final roster epitomizes all of that."
The roster is: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, James Harden, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams and Iguodala.
"We have benefited so much from having a pool of outstanding players who are committed, and as a result the selection is difficult. But it's the best challenge that you could have because everyone has been so committed," said Krzyzewski.
Also on Krzyzewski's staff is Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and former NBA coaches Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillan.
After the team finishes training in Las Vegas they will train in Washington, D.C. July 13-15 and play and exhibition game against Brazil at the Verizon Center on July 16 at 8 p.m. They will then train in Manchester, England July 17-18 before taking on Great Britain on the 19th.
Whoopee, US is stone cold lock for the Gold, for sure.— albrock
CONGRATS IGGY --ANOTHER MILESTONE THAT NEVER CAN BE TAKEN FROM YOU.
You deserve better then being on the Sixers!!! Just keep on keeping on.— HO HUM- A good guy and great defender. He's ours.— philsix6
- Iggy... the perfect puzzle piece for a talented group. The ultimate utility man. The guy can't lead a team or be the primary focus of any team...yet he can be an extremely effective piece for the most talented players in the world. Iggy enigma.— Mberky
First Sixer Olympian since Leon Wood in 1984.— EmanuelP- "First Sixer Olympian since Leon Wood in 1984".... unless you count The Round Mound in 1992 (he was a Sixer in 91-92 and left that summer for the Suns) or Iverson in 2004— bizurk
- nice i like "toomanydala" but without him on this team they will lose there defensive edge and DC is about the D and he likes toomanydala so I think he is staying maybe he is the sixers pat burell— stayoutofphilly
- He's definitely the Sixah's Andy Reid.— albrock
- Wooo mess up those knees for the season and ruin your trade value more! Go Iggy!!!!— The Villain ET
- Congratulations to Andre Iguodala! He deserves better than what he gets from the Sixer fans. They want him to be something he is not but what he is still commands respect around the league. OK, he's not a great first option on offense, but he's a decent second option and a very good third option. On the offensive end, he does some things very well (transition, passing and now even three point shooting!) and others not so well (body control around the basket in traffic, FT shooting, stiff arm dribbling). But he's aces on D though and nearly a super-star quality player. Great glue guy and excellent team player. Again, congrats and I hope the Philly fans show you more love next season.— incog69
- I will show Iggy the most love next season when he arrives here in a different uniform. I will stand and clap!— The Villain ET
- You GO Dre'! BEST of Luck to you and the REST of the 2012 USA Mens Basketball team! You Guys WILL RULE London! God Bless Andre Iguodala and God Bless USA Basketball. Go and get the GOLD! It is WAITING for ya'll! This is a GREAT honor for the 76ers to have you on the U.S Olympic team!— dudega
- Iguodala on Team USA.. the Perfect reason for me to root against them in the Olympics— Ashburn072
- While Iggy is away.. trade him!— Tyrone Biggums
The Olympic team must be desperate. Clank.
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
