Iguodala named finalist for Olympics
The Sixers' Andre Iguodala has been named one of the 20 finalists for the U.S. Olympic team, USA Basketball announced today.
The final 12-man roster for the London Olympics will be announced later this year.
Iguodala was among 10 players from the 2010 World Championship roster to make the list. Eight finalists played for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics. Both teams won gold medals.
Iguodala was a starter on the World Championship team. He was also a member of the U.S. Select Team, which helped prepare Team USA for the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship and the 2008 Olympics. The Sixers have not had a player represent them in the Olympics since Allen Iverson in 2004.
"The entire Sixers organization – our ownership, coaching staff, front office and team – is thrilled that Andre received the honor of being named one of the finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team," said Sixers coach Doug Collins. "Andre helped the country win a gold medal at the World Championships and showed that he deserved to be in this select company."
Named as a finalist for the 2012 USA team were: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers); Chris Bosh (Miami Heat); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets). Griffin was also officially added to the USA Basketball National Team roster.
"I feel like we have an outstanding blend of talents from the 2008 Olympic and 2010 World Championship teams that won gold," said Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of USA Basketball. "Reducing to the official roster limit of 12 players will be an even tougher decision, but we'll evaluate how guys play during the 2011-12 NBA season and as we've done with our teams in the past, we'll attempt to select the very best team we can."
Mike Krzyzewski, who coached the 2008 Olympic team and the World Championship team in 2010, is the head coach.
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